Pro-lifers gathered in Slovakia for the fourth March for Life on September 22, an event leaders estimate drew nearly 40,000 people. The march’s slogan was, “Love is pro-life.”
In a press release, the event’s spokeswoman Rebecca Lukáčová said the participants joined “to publicly express that they want the
good of every human being, including unborn children.”
“If we love someone, we want them to be protected,” added spokesman Patrik Daniška.
Among the speakers was the country’s Commissioner for Children, Jozef Miklosko, who said that he considers it his job to advocate for all children, including those who are preborn.
Participants also received a personal message from Pope Francis, delivered via Nuncio Nicola Girasoli. “Pope Francis marches with you today! Let it be a march of joy and enthusiasm, let it be a real march for life. Let it be a march of hope. Be always supporters of life. Life is a gift of God. Be always proud and ready to protect life. Receive from Pope Francis an embrace full of peace and hope.”
One woman who runs a helpline for pregnant women decried how often women are told that abortion is the only answer.
“It is barbaric, cruel, and unfair to life to a pregnant woman in a difficult life situation that abortion is the solution,” she said. “How is it that in our free countries, under the guise of so-called women’s rights, abortion practices that totalitarian regimes excelled at are not only maintained but expanded?”
Currently, abortion is legal in Slovakia up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. According to the event’s press release, the number of preborn children killed from abortion dropped continuously every year from 1987 to 2021; however, it rose in both 2022 and 2023.
The National Centre for Health Information reported 5,420 abortions were committed in 2023. Notably, Slovakia is one of only a few European countries where the abortion pill is not permitted, though abortion advocates are actively lobbying for its legalization.
