A Little More Action

Abortion seems to be one of the issues of choice at the moment. The left side is up in arms that laws are being passed to prohibit abortion, and the right side is worried that the Democrat-run Senate will overturn the ban on partial-birth abortions. Don't get me wrong, I think abortion is a very important issue; it's just that it all seems like so much talk.

It's moments like these that I am amazed by organizations like Women on Waves. It's so refreshing to see an organization that actually does something. Women on Waves is a Dutch organization that goes to countries where abortion is illegal, anchors a boat just far enough off-shore to be in international waters where local laws don't apply, and performs abortions for the women in the country. The organization only performs drug-induced abortions. Also, the organization is able to provide contraceptives, as well as information about safe sex.

Women on Waves was begun by Rebecca Gomperts, an abortion doctor, in 1999. She saw a need for victims of sexual abuse, poverty, and women in other situations who had unwanted pregnancies. I had the privilege in 2005 of being part of small group of people to hear Dr. Gomperts give a lecture. More than anything, I was struck by her passion, creativity, and intensity. This woman saw a need and began a revolution that will have lasting impacts.

So far, Women on Waves has managed three campaigns, visiting Portugal, Ireland, and Poland. During the campaigns, an abortion doctor, a gynecologist, a specialized nurse, and a few others spend two weeks anchored outside each country. Obviously, they can't fill the need for abortions for a whole country in two weeks, nor can they educate everyone. Nonetheless, the bigger goal is to raise awareness about the issue, which Women on Waves unquestionably succeeds at.