Vogue Poland praised for powerful pro-choice cover in wake of abortion ban
Vogue Poland has been praised for making a powerful pro-choice statement with its latest issue, which stars model and activist Anja Rubik on the cover draped in crimson fabric.
The model’s ensemble mimics that of the red lightening bolt that has become synonymous with the protests that have erupted across Poland in the wake of the country’s near-total ban on abortion.
On 22 October, the constitutional court ruled that aborting fetuses with congenital defects violates the constitution, which tightened what was already one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws.
The ruling would mean that abortions are only permitted in cases of risk to the woman's life or crime i.e. in cases of rape or incest.
The ruling prompted nationwide protests, with more than 100,000 people gathered in Warsaw earlier this month, leading the government to delay the publication and implementation of the high court ruling.
Now, Vogue Poland has taken a stance against the ruling with its latest issue, which bears the words “the power of woman” across it in bold white text.
“Anything that concerns Polish women concerns us,” reads a statement from Vogue Poland shared on Instagram.
“This has been the case since the first issue of Vogue Poland and will always hold true,” it continues.
"That is why we asked supermodel and - or perhaps, these days, first and foremost - activist @Anja_Rubik to create our cover story.
“She photographed herself with the symbols so dear to millions of our countrywomen. We stand by you.”
Rubik has posted about the cover on her own Instagram, calling it one of the “most important and personal covers and portraits in my career”.
The 37-year-old continued: "A woman’s right to choose is the litmus test for a healthy, progressive society.
"This moment in time will affect the Polish community for decades to come. The state is suppressing women with their total ban on abortion and restriction of their reproductive rights.
“Reproductive rights are human rights, they guarantee the freedom to decide about our life, our bodies, our health and our destiny.”
Both posts have garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and comments from women praising the publication for its stance.
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