About International Safe Abortion Day

International Safe Abortion Day is marked every year on 28 September by advocates, governments, UN institutions and movements around the world. It is a global call to action for access to timely, affordable, and quality abortion care. It also highlights the harms caused by restrictive abortion laws and barriers to care, while urging decision makers to protect and advance reproductive rights as human rights.

Europe lighting up green

Why is Europe lighting up green for abortion rights on 28 September?

This year, on 28th September, municipalities across Europe are illuminating city halls and prominent public landmarks in green, as a coordinated show of support for all who need abortion care.

The green color originates from Latin America’s La marea verde, or The Green Wave. The Green Wave started with pañuelos verdes (green handkerchiefs) worn as symbols by abortion rights supporters, and their activism achieved transformational victories throughout the region. The symbol of green handkerchiefs spread across the world, unifying the global abortion rights movement in the color green.  

By illuminating city halls and other prominent public landmarks green, these European cities are making a clear, public statement of support for abortion rights in some of Europe’s most recognisable civic spaces. Leading cultural, academic and professional institutions are also taking part, with buildings in Dublin, Edinburgh and London joining the action. Across 15 landmarks, the use of green creates a powerful shared symbol of solidarity and support for abortion access across the globe.

Current abortion rights in Europe

The current state of abortion rights in Europe

Our analysis shows that progress cross Europe is continuing, while underlining the need for continued vigilance to protect these advances and prevent regression. In the past year, Luxembourg became the second country in Europe to explicitly enshrine the freedom to access abortion in its Constitution, while legal changes in England and Wales ended the criminalisation of women for obtaining their own abortions outside legal pathways. Across Europe, countries continue to strengthen legal protections, decriminalise and legalise abortion, and remove barriers to care. At the same time, significant barriers remain across the region. Outdated criminal, procedural and financial restrictions continuing to delay, obstruct or deny access to timely, affordable and good quality abortion care.

Where are the illuminations?

Where can you see the illuminations on 28 September?

The Center for Reproductive Rights and our partners have worked together to coordinate with jurisdictions and local governments across Europe, to illuminate prominent landmarks green in support of abortion rights.

When: 28 September, after dusk

Why: To show your support for safe and legal abortion care for everyone, everywhere. 

Where:

Confirmed municipal illuminations:

1. Barcelona: Barcelona City Hall 
2. Bratislava: UFO Observation Tower 
3. Brussels: Brussels City Hall and La Monnaie / De Munt Opera House 
4. Büdelsdorf: Büdelsdorf City Hall  
5. Dublin: Mansion House 
6. Geneva: Jet d’Eau 
7. Paris: Colonne de Juillet, Place de la Bastille  
8. Pula: Šijana Roundabout 
9. Umag: Fountain on 1 May Square 
10. Yerevan: Moscow Cinema 
11. Zagreb: Zagreb Fountains 

In addition to these official landmark illuminations, a number of leading cultural, academic and professional institutions have chosen to participate in illuminating their buildings green. These include: 

1. Dublin: Trinity College Dublin 
2. Edinburgh: Edinburgh International Conference Centre 
3. London: Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (internal illumination) 
4. Augsburg: Pro familia offices 
5. Recklinghausen: Pro familia offices 

The Center’s work in Europe

The Center’s work in Europe

For more than 25 years, the Center for Reproductive Rights Europe has worked tirelessly to advance access to safe, legal abortion. Our team collaborates with national civil society organizations and regional partners to drive national and regional legislatives strategies, galvanize and inform decision makers, shape jurisprudence, and prevent rollbacks. 

Learn more