As you probably know, on March 8 it’s the International Women’s Day. This year it’s also a day of an International Protest against the restriction of women’s rights. There are demonstrations across the country in dozens of cities and towns. Women and girls living in Poland are encouraged to take part in the protest by skipping work or classes in order to show their indignation at the planned changes in the Polish law.
Polish women’s problems have escalated starting from October 2015 when the Law and Justice Party took over the Polish Government. It’s the very first time after the change of the system in Poland in 1989 that one party has an absolute majority in the parliament. In the months following their election the party has started to introduce profound and controversial changes concerning many fields of the public sphere. Some of those changes affected women’s rights as well. In September 2016 there appeared in the parliament a civil society project (which was strongly supported by the Polish catholic church and many prominent politicians of the ruling party) almost completely criminalizing termination of pregnancies. Had the law been passed, victims of rape, incest and pedophilia would be forced to bear their assaulters’ children. That was the time Polish women felt compelled to say enough. October 3 2016 was the day of the first Black Protest. Hundreds of thousands of Polish women went out to the streets in Polish and foreign cities. This made the Law and Justice Government back off, but not for long. The abortion issue returns from time to time, and it’s possible that the law will be passed as soon as an opportunity arises.
However, the abortion law is not the only problem. The Minister of Health is going to change regulations on the availability of emergency contraception (it will be possible to buy it only with a prescription from a doctor), and the Minister of Justice plans on cancelling (!) The Council of Europe’s Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Moreover, the Minister of Education – without any public consultations – has decided to abolish secondary schools, which means that thousands of teachers will lose their jobs in the following years. Hence, although the main postulates of the protesters are connected with women’s rights, for many it is an occasion to object the government’s decisions.
If you’d like to, you can participate in the Black Protest in Opole as well. It’s going to start at 4 p.m. on the Liberty Square (Plan Wolności; in front of the large “woman on a bull” statue). At 5 p.m. the protesters will march through Opole.
Regardless of whether you’re going to take part in the demonstration (don’t skip classes, please), if you’d like to express your protest against limiting women’s rights – don’t forget to wear black clothes!
![](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/wzgorze-005-4x3.jpg)
![Oral exams admission 2023/2024](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ROZMOWY-ANG-1080x675.png)
Oral exams admission 2023/2024
Dear Candidates! The dates of the oral exams for admission 2023/2024 have been announced. We encourage you to get familiar with the the below-provided information and updates published in our language requirements section, as well as on our admission blog.More News
![Happy Easter!](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Staz-w-nowym-yorku-1-1080x675.png)
Happy Easter!
Happy Easter! Dear students! Wishing you the season filled with peace, joy, and beautiful weather. May you enjoy these days surrounded by friends, family, and plenty of chocolate! Please be informed that today we are working until 12p.m. The office will be open again...
![Scholarship in New York](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Staz-w-nowym-yorku-e1680778385139-1080x675.jpg)
Scholarship in New York
Dear Students, We are pleased to announce the possibility of applying for the three-week Exchange Programs that will be held at State University of New York, Albany and New Paltz. The State University of New York is one of the most respected education systems in the...
![OPUS MINOR – exhibition at Galeria M](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/zaproszenie_b-1080x675.jpg)
OPUS MINOR – exhibition at Galeria M
We are excited to invite you to the new exhibiotion at Gallery M (ul. Powstańców Śląskich 19) in Opole. The artist Nina Adlejada Olczak will present her works at the show titled Opus Minor. Nina Adelajda Olczak (*1980, Świecie, Poland) is a performance and new media...
![Virtual OPEN DAYS 2023 | University of Opole](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/DNI-OTWARTE-strona-EN-1080x675.png)
Virtual OPEN DAYS 2023 | University of Opole
Virtual OPEN DAYS 2023 | University of Opole In May International Students Office will start a series of Virtual Open Days of the University of Opole for foreigners! We encourage you to attend the event to learn more about: Studies in Poland; The offer of study...
![Join us on WhatsApp!](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/fnag-1080x675.png)
Join us on WhatsApp!
In case of urgent inquiries, you can contact the International Students Office on WhatsApp, via +48 77 452 7496. Our Admission Blog with updates and tips regarding admission can also be accessed in the WhatsApp mobile application. You can view it by scanning the QR...
![Three is a crowd – exhibition in GSW](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GSW-1080x675.jpg)
Three is a crowd – exhibition in GSW
Dear Students,The Contemporary Art Gallery in Opole (Galeria Sztuki Współczesnej) invites all English speaking art lovers to the guided tour through the exhibitions "Three is a Crowd" by Zygmunt Moryto. The tour will take place on Thursday, 23 March 2023, at 6pm. The...
![Events for international students](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MicrosoftTeams-image-21-1080x675.jpg)
Events for international students
Hello international students! Plenipotentiary for equal treatment invites you to the following events: Music by ANOHNI A meeting with ANOHNI, one of the most recognizable transwomen in contemporary popular music. Details and registration:...
![“Equality, diversity and acceptance” online workshops](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Untitled-design-10-1080x675.png)
“Equality, diversity and acceptance” online workshops
Dear Students! We are happy to invite you to the online workshops "Equality, diversity and acceptance". Date: Group 1 Group 2 30.03.2023 r. 16.00-18.30 04.04.2023 r. 16.00-18.30 Place: Microsoft Teams Platform Language: English The workshop will be conducted by the...
![UO at International Education Fair Perspektywy 2023](https://hello.uni.opole.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/MicrosoftTeams-image-10-1024x675.jpg)
UO at International Education Fair Perspektywy 2023
On 10-11.03.2023 we took part in the "International Education Fair PERSPEKTYWY 2023", which took place in Warsaw at the EXPO XXI exhibition center. An employee of our office, in cooperation with the Office of Marketing and Public Relations, presented our University's...