Women dressed as pregnant nuns holding a card reading: 'Our priest ordered us to give birth', march in the rain to demand greater accessibility of abortion but also for better work conditions and more state support in raising children, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The annual march by womenâs organizations was held for the 17th time, ahead of March 8 International Womenâs Day. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The Associated Press
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - Hundreds of women have marched in Warsaw to demand greater accessibility to abortion, better working conditions and more state support in raising children.
The annual march by women's organizations on Sunday was held for the 17th time, ahead of Tuesday's International Women's Day.
The marchers carried banners in the rain that called for the state to open more nurseries and pre-schools, better job security and higher pay for women. They also said that professionally-performed legal abortions help protect the lives of women.
Abortion in Poland is allowed when pregnancy endangers the woman's life, is the result of rape or incest, or when the fetus has an incurable defect.
Women's rights activists are concerned that these regulations may be toughened by the ruling conservative Law and Justice party.
Women march in the rain to demand greater accessibility of abortion but also for better work conditions and more state support in raising children, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The annual march by womenâs organizations was held for the 17th time, ahead of March 8 International Womenâs Day. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The Associated Press
Protesters march demanding greater accessibility of abortion but also for better work conditions and more state support in raising children, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The annual march by womenâs organizations was held for the 17th time, ahead of March 8 International Womenâs Day. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The Associated Press
A protester shouts slogans during a march demanding greater accessibility of abortion but also for better work conditions and more state support in raising children, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The annual march by womenâs organizations was held for the 17th time, ahead of March 8 International Womenâs Day. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The Associated Press
Women shout slogans as they march in the rain to demand greater accessibility of abortion but also for better work conditions and more state support in raising children, in Warsaw, Poland, Sunday, March 6, 2016. The annual march by womenâs organizations was held for the 17th time, ahead of March 8 International Womenâs Day. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
The Associated Press