Hearing the Nation’s Heartbeat: Reproductive Rights in an Illiberal Age

13/03/2023

Public Discussion | Central European University Budapest

The fate of the global order is intrinsically tied to global demographic trends. In the illiberal political imaginary aging populations, shrinking workforces and vanishing taxpayers translate to battle cries for saving the nation. The war on gender ideology centers on human reproduction: on putting the traditional (Christian) family first. Poland’s almost complete ban on abortion is not new. The US Supreme Court’s reversal of access to abortion in 2022 was the result of pro-life advocacy, strategic litigation – and strategic judicial appointments. Hungary followed suit by adding a ‚heartbeat requirement‘ to a medial questionnaire used for granting abortions. Does the survival of the nation really hinge on revoking women’s reproductive rights? Where does this chapter sit in the illiberal playbook on rolling back human rights? The panel discussion on developments in East Central Europe will place contemporary trends in their historic and global perspective.

You can watch the whole discussion on Youtube.

Panelists: Marta Bucholc (University of Warsaw) // Juliana Cesario Alvim Gomes (CEU PU) //
Stefania Kapronczay (TASZ / HCLU) // Andrea Pető (CEU PU) //

Moderator: Edit Zgut Przybylska (IFIS PAN / re:constitution fellow @CEU DI)

Time: March 13 2023 / 17:30 – 19:00

Place: CEU / Nador 15 / Tiered Room / Budapest