The ASTRA Network for Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia stands in solidarity with women’s rights organizations and activists in Latvia, who are facing renewed political attacks on gender equality and reproductive rights.
In recent weeks, Latvia has witnessed two alarming developments threatening decades of progress in protecting women and advancing gender equality.
On September 25, members of several political parties — including “Latvia First,” “United List,” “National Alliance,” and the “Greens and Farmers’ Union” — initiated a proposal to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention, the Council of Europe’s treaty on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. This move directly undermines Latvia’s commitments to protect women and girls from gender-based violence.
Shortly after, on October 17, members of the same parties introduced amendments to the Sexual and Reproductive Health Law, seeking to define “life” as beginning at conception and to impose mandatory counseling designed to discourage abortion. These amendments, which would have severely restricted reproductive autonomy, were rejected by the parliamentary committee on October 21 — a positive outcome achieved thanks to the tireless advocacy and public mobilization of Latvian civil society.
These initiatives represent a coordinated attempt to roll back women’s rights and to replace evidence-based, rights-oriented policy with regressive, populist narratives. They echo wider regional trends that seek to weaponize “traditional values” against equality, autonomy, and democracy itself.
ASTRA Network commends the brave resistance of Latvian activists, youth organizations, and citizens, who have taken to the streets in consecutive protests — an uncommon and powerful act of civic engagement in Latvia’s political culture. The thousands of signatures collected on ManaBalss.lv further demonstrate the growing public support for gender equality and women’s rights.
We call on:
- The Latvian Parliament to uphold its international commitments and reject the proposal to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention;
- The Government of Latvia to protect the existing legal framework on sexual and reproductive health and rights, and to strengthen support for victims of gender-based violence;
- The European Union and international partners to stand firmly with Latvian civil society and to condemn any actions that undermine human rights, gender equality, or the rule of law.
Women’s rights are human rights. Latvia’s progress in combating violence and improving reproductive health must not be undone.
ASTRA Network and its partners across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia reaffirm our full solidarity with all those defending women’s rights, bodily autonomy, and democracy in Latvia.
