Women fight for the right to physical self-determination

The right to abortion and physical self-determination is repeatedly restricted in Germany. Cuts in healthcare have a particular impact on women. Women are forming resistance against this. – A comment by Martha Rosenblum.

The right to abortion still does not apply in Germany. In 1871, Section 218 was introduced into the Penal Code, which made abortion illegal. It was not until 1995 that this paragraph was reformed, which continued to classify abortion as illegal, but made it unpunished. However, this is only possible under certain conditions: within the first twelve weeks, if the woman seeks advice beforehand and the procedure is carried out at least three days apart from the consultation appointment. Exceptions apply in cases of rape or special medical emergencies.

In addition, the rights to self-determination that have been fought for are repeatedly endangered. Despite an expert report that recommends the legalization of abortions and corresponding draft laws, the CDU and CSU in particular are against legalization.

Conference of Justice Ministers: § 218 remains untouched, “Yes means Yes” fails and the Self-Determination Act is attacked

March against physical self-determination

Christian fundamentalists with their clubs and lobby groups also campaign against physical self-determination. The “March for Life” is an annual demonstration that marches through Munich, Cologne and Berlin under the guise of “protecting life”. This movement is being driven by Christian fundamentalist as well as right-wing and conservative forces: from Beatrix von Storch (AfD), who led the march in 2015, to Volker Kauder (CDU), who has been writing greetings to the march since 2010.

But lesser-known forces also play a role: especially Christian organizations such as the Pius Brotherhood, which became known for its anti-Semitism, LGBTI+ hostility and a regressive image of women. Or the TFP (Tradition, Family, Private Property), founded in Brazil, which specifically combines patriarchal and anti-socialist positions with a traditional family image and is also active in Germany.

Number of calls to the helpline against violence against women reaches a new high

Limitations of self-determination in the patriarchal system

It is hardly surprising that parties like the AfD and CDU are calling for tightening of the law and publicly opposing the right to self-determination. The AfD has always carried out broad propaganda for a retrograde image of women, according to which women should take their “natural place”. The AfD also explains this in its election program for 2024. This explains their focus on increasing the birth rate and the need they see in controlling women's bodies and further restricting the right to physical self-determination.

Overall, a legal development can be observed: On the one hand, the attacks on the right to self-determination at the legal level are intensifying. On the other hand, an increase in patriarchal violence can be observed. The right to self-determination is also restricted for trans and non-binary people: just a few months ago, a clause was introduced in Baden-Württemberg that results in the data of people who make use of the Self-Determination Act (SBGG) being forwarded to the criminal police. The propaganda for “traditional” values ​​is intended to push women and LGBTI+ people into the binary gender system and assign them social roles based on this.

Social cuts particularly affect women

The current cuts in health and social services are particularly affecting women. Cost-cutting measures in maternity care result in long waiting times or even cancellation of services. They also affect the right to self-determination in health aspects.

An exemplary case is Bavaria: more and more clinics are canceling their abortion services. The number of registration centers that carry out abortions is declining in Bavaria. As a result, entire regions remain unprovided for. In Lower Bavaria, with a population of 1.2 million, there are only three practices and not a single clinic that offers the abortion procedure. Women have to accept long distances and long waiting times. This causes additional psychological and physical stress.

Bavaria says it voluntarily supports Catholic counseling centers for “pregnancy issues” with a flat rate of 27,000 euros per position. This means that women do not receive the neutral advice they deserve, but are instead put under moral pressure. These counseling centers also do not issue certificates of counseling that are necessary for an abortion.

In addition, there are a number of cuts that affect families and especially single parents. In the planned reform of the maintenance advance, the child's age limit will be lowered from 18 to 16 years of age. State financial assistance for single parents whose child receives little or no maintenance from the other parent is no longer even available until they reach adulthood.

Planned cuts in housing benefit and child allowances will mean that in many households the income will be even less sufficient to survive.

Cologne and Berlin: Blockades and applause during the loud protest against the “March for Life”

Women resist!

Overall, attacks on the working class and especially on women and LGBTI+ people are increasing in Germany. The increase in patriarchal violence and the social cuts that push women into economic dependency, together with the more difficult conditions for accessing abortions and the general attacks on the right to physical self-determination, will force more and more women to either live in poverty or to remain in violent and dangerous relationships. In a climate of shift to the right that aims to push women and the genders oppressed by the patriarchal system back into their “natural” roles, this development becomes a particular threat to the future of all women and LGBTI+ people.

And yet resistance to it emerges every year. Blockades are being carried out in Cologne and Berlin by various organizations and will not allow the March for Life to go unanswered. And on September 29th, Safe Abortion Day, women across Germany took to the streets to protest against paragraph 218.

This text appeared in the September 2026 print edition no. 114 of our newspaper. The edition is in its entiretyhereto find.

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