European landmarks light up green for International Safe Abortion Day

On International Safe Abortion Day, municipalities and institutions across various European cities are illuminating city halls and prominent landmarks in green to signal support for abortion access. Participating locations include Barcelona, Bratislava, Brussels, Dublin, Edinburgh, Geneva, Paris, Pula, Yerevan, and Zagreb, with additional participation from cultural and academic institutions in London.

The use of green honors the ‘Green Wave’ movement, a symbol of solidarity originating from Latin American activism. While advocates highlight sustained legal progress in the region—such as Luxembourg’s constitutional protections and proposed amendments in Spain—they also warn of ongoing barriers. Organizations like the Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network and the Center for Reproductive Rights emphasize that restrictive laws in countries like Poland, Malta, and Andorra continue to impact reproductive healthcare and human rights.