The international campaign “40 Days for Life” has started a new edition in Spain coinciding with the beginning of Lent, according to COPE. For 40 days, volunteers will participate in shifts of prayer, fasting, and peaceful presence in front of centers where abortions are performed, with the aim of offering support to women considering interrupting their pregnancy.
The initiative will be present in 25 Spanish cities and is part of an international movement that promotes accompaniment for pregnant women in vulnerable situations.
Fear as the main factor
Alicia Gómez-Monedero, the campaign’s communications manager, has pointed out that many women reach the decision to abort because they feel alone or without alternatives. In statements reported by COPE, she assures that “the main trigger for an abortion is fear.”
From the organization, they explain that they seek to offer a support network that allows women to face motherhood with greater security. The volunteers position themselves near the centers with messages like “you are not alone, we can help you,” with the intention of making that help visible.
Balance of the initiative
According to data provided by the campaign itself, in Spain around 50 women would have decided to continue with their pregnancy after receiving accompaniment from the initiative, while internationally the figure would exceed 26,000.
Among the testimonies shared by the organization is that of a woman who, after having aborted previously, decided to go ahead with a new pregnancy after contacting campaign volunteers.
Greater involvement of fathers
The spokesperson has also highlighted an increase in the involvement of some fathers in these situations. In some cases, as she explains, it has been they who have approached the volunteers to ask for help and support in the face of a possible abortion.
The campaign also has a 24-hour helpline (623 540 148) to provide information and accompaniment to those who request it.