Slovenian Events Stir Pain, Not Healing: Reflections on Rights and Responsibilities

The article delves into complex societal questions about justice, individual behavior, and the right to bodily autonomy, drawing from personal experiences and academic insights. Professor Renata Salecl's contemplation on what constitutes society, justice, and a dignified future is sparked by a seemingly minor incident: young people on a narrow sidewalk unwilling to yield passage. This encounter leads the author to reflect on a similar experience while collecting signatures for safe and accessible abortion in Europe.

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What is society, what is justice, what is a dignified life, and what should the future mean?

Recounting her medical education, the author recalls being asked about the "law on family planning." The affirmation of abortion rights as constitutional rights deeply impacted her perspective. She shares stories, including that of a midwife whose grandmother performed abortions even before World War II, highlighting the historical necessity and difficult choices women faced when lacking legal options. These narratives underscore the profound personal and societal implications of reproductive rights.

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The confirmation of the legality of abortion among constitutional rights poured into my world of quality most massively precisely from healthcare.

The author further illustrates the complexities through a medical case: a young nurse, also a mother of two, faced a dilemma upon contracting rubella early in her third pregnancy. The potential risk to the fetus, coupled with staffing shortages at her clinic that would be exacerbated by her maternity leave, created immense personal and professional pressure. Her request for consultation was driven by a deep sense of responsibility towards her family and colleagues, demonstrating the multifaceted considerations involved in such decisions.

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She had already performed as many as 22 abortions before the war and shortly after.

An unexpected challenge arose when the author shared information about the European signature portal for abortion rights with colleagues. While some respectfully declined, one response accused her of "politicizing" a fundamental right. This reaction, along with the initial sidewalk incident, highlights a societal tension where individual rights and collective responsibility are often debated and contested, suggesting that while events may evoke pain, they have not yet led to genuine healing or reconciliation.

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The potential infection with the rubella virus could endanger the fetus, and at home, she already had two healthy children.