In this week’s episode of World in Progress, Croatia, a Balkan country known to tourists for its beautiful coastal towns and rugged landscape, is also becoming known for something else: an increasingly heated debate over the right to freedom. ‘abortion.
Abortion is technically legal in this country of 3.9 million people. But critics say progressive changes to legislation in recent decades and the influence of the Catholic Church have eroded women’s access to safe abortion, highlighting the number of women who must cross the border with the Neighboring Slovenia to use it.
Journalist Jennifer Collins looked in-depth at the issue, visiting doctors, protests and pro-life prayer groups to learn more.
We’ll also hear stories about women’s empowerment from around the world, from Ethiopia, where a young artist is putting a new spin on traditional fabric, to China, where the LGBTQ community is finding creative ways to create safe spaces.