Drones have been used for war, for photography, and even for Amazon deliveries. But now, drones are entering the fight for reproductive rights.
Time reports that women's rights groups are set to use drones to deliver abortion pills from Germany to Poland, where women are prohibited from ending a pregnancy unless there's proof of rape or incest, or the mother or fetus's life is endangered in some way. Even then, it's still very tough to get an abortion.
The activists don't need permission from either country's government because the drone weighs less than 5 kg (11 lbs), isn't used for commercial purposes, and isn't flying in controlled airspace. And the women won't get in trouble either, because under Polish law they can't be prosecuted for illegal abortions.
The drugs—mifepristone, and misoprostol—are approved by the World Health Organization, which found that women can take them at home without doctor supervision. The first drone will carry packages to Slubice, a town on the Germany-Poland border, on June 27.
An estimated 50,00 underground abortions occur in Poland every year, the Telegraph reports, and many Polish women fly to countries like the U.K. for procedures. "We can't stop pointing out the lack of safe access to abortion and medical abortion pills," Rebecca Gomperts, head of the Dutch group Women on Waves, told the newspaper. "It's a violation of women's rights. We have to make every effort to make sure they get that access."
-
Michelle Williams Says Goodbye to Her Signature Pixie for This Trendy New StyleThe actress is following in the footsteps of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
-
Why Princess Margaret Called Herself a "Bad-Tempered Old Devil" After "Tearful" IncidentQueen Elizabeth's little sister issued a rare apology after the upsetting situation.
-
Beauty Marks and Family History: How IU and Moon So-ri Brought Their 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' Role to LifeThe Korean actresses discuss both playing Ae-sun and how the Netflix K-drama related to their own lives.
-
Cecile Richards, Former Planned Parenthood President and Women's Rights Activist, Has Died at Age 67"Our hearts are broken today but no words can do justice to the joy she brought to our lives."
-
36 Ways Women Still Aren't Equal to MenFeatures It's just one of the many ways women still aren't equal to men.
-
Post-Roe, Pregnant People Will Become Suspects\201cWe anticipate a very dramatic increase in the rate of criminalization of all pregnancy outcomes.\201d
-
Roe Is Gone. We Have to Keep Fighting.How To Democracy always offers a path forward even when we feel thrust into the past.
-
The Supreme Court Is Hearing Arguments in a Case That Could Overturn 'Roe v. Wade''Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization' is the most consequential abortion rights case in decades.
-
EMILY's List President Laphonza Butler Has Big Plans for the OrganizationUnder Butler's leadership, the largest resource for women in politics aims to expand Black political power and become more accessible for candidates across the nation.
-
Want to Fight for Abortion Rights in Texas? Raise Your Voice to State LegislatorsEmily Cain, executive director of EMILY's List and and former Minority Leader in Maine, says that to stop the assault on reproductive rights, we need to start demanding more from our state legislatures.
-
Your Abortion Questions, AnsweredHere, MC debunks common abortion myths you may be increasingly hearing since Texas' near-total abortion ban went into effect.
