A poster featuring seven nude candidates from the Women’s Party for the forthcoming election in Poland is making waves in the staunchly conservative Catholic country.

The poster has been the target of criticism from both the Catholic Church and conservative politicians.

The founder of Partia Kobiet (Women’s Party) writer Manuela Gretkowska was clear about the aim of the poster: “The poster is intended to shatter stereotypes in the anachronistic world of politics,” and added that it proves that the party has “nothing to hide”.

She was also unrepentant, “We are beautiful, nude, proud. We are true and sincere, body and soul. This is not pornography, there is nothing to see in terms of sex, our faces are intelligent, concerned, proud.”

Women’s issues

Gretkowska, who also features on the poster, says she was prompted to form the party after the nationalist-conservative government of Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said it was considering tightening the ban on abortion, already among Europe’s strictest. She also mentioned the bullying of a Gdansk schoolgirl who then committed suicide as a motivational factor.

Gretkowska complains that politics in Poland is run by men in suits for men in suits. She also alleges that the position of women has got worse during Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s period in office.

The party’s manifesto includes demands for free contraception, more and better childcare, an increase in the number of gynaecologists and equal pay for women.

However, the issue of abortion has a less central role in the party’s programme than it does in comparable parties in other countries. The reasoning appears to be tactical. “If you want to turn Polish women against each other, then you talk about abortion,” said Gretkowska

The party has already attracted significant celebrity backing with actress Krystyna Janda, singer Kayah and women’s boxing champion Agnieszka Rylik promising to support it.

Not enough support yet

The most recent opinion polls suggest that the party would be unable to clear the 5% hurdle required to win seats in Parliament when elections are held on 21 October. The current level of support for the party runs at just 3% but up to 60% of women might be prepared to vote for the party, according to polls.

With no partly likely to win an overall majority, the Women’s Party could be in a strong position to press its demands during the inevitable period of coalition haggling following the vote.

The party has already made an impression on Polish politics. Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski, 58, who is a bachelor, has appointed the wife of a fellow politician to advise him on women’s issues.

	1. Written by Ken Reid on 04-10-2007 15:47 - Guest
	When you go nude you get peoples attention! Always for a good cause!

	2. Written by Larry Flynt on 05-10-2007 08:07 - Guest
	Go Nude! Don't forget about flying nude using http://www.naked-air.com/  and the always classic Nude School by the Painters and Dockers. See video below.

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