Rethinking Choice: Campaign Sparks Debate on Abortion

Abortion remains one of the most debated issues in society, and in Hungary, it is currently the third most common cause of baby death, with an average of 58 abortions performed daily. In response, a broad coalition of civic groups is organizing the country’s largest pro-life demonstration on September 13 in Budapest, called “Everyone Deserves a Birthday”, writes Mandiner.

The initiative aims to promote open social dialogue, highlight the complex situations leading to abortions, and push for systemic support for women facing crisis pregnancies.

The campaign is spearheaded by the “Mindenki Születésnapja” (Everyone Deserves a Birthday) Foundation in cooperation with  Együtt az Életért Egyesület (Together for Life Association).

The campaign seeks to balance current narratives that focus almost exclusively on abortion as a women’s right, advocating instead for recognition of the unborn as lives worth protecting, and for the right to avoid abortion by having access to real alternatives.

Ilona Keresztes, president of the Together for Life Association and a patron of the campaign, emphasizes that societal understanding is lacking regarding the emotional, economic, and relational pressures that often lead to abortion. The campaign does not seek to stigmatize women, but to support them with empathy and informed options. Sári Pontifex, spokesperson for the “Mindenki Születésnapja” Foundation, added that the movement now includes an expanding network of organizations dedicated to helping vulnerable women.

Marianna Várfalvi, President of the Hungarian District Nurse Association, called her profession a unique national value rooted in empathy and personal care, and stressed the importance of early intervention and ongoing support. She joined the campaign’s expert team earlier this year to help develop system-level responses to the needs of women with crisis pregnancies.

Since the legalization of abortion 68 years ago, more than six million procedures have been performed in Hungary, including over 21,000 in the past year alone. The movement argues that behind these numbers lie thousands of unresolved stories—many involving emotional trauma and regret.

The “Everyone Deserves a Birthday” initiative seeks not only to raise awareness but to create a safety net that lasts beyond childbirth. The foundation works to connect women with mental, material, and social support, helping them make choices rooted in care rather than fear. The campaign also enjoys support from public figures such as writer János Lackfi, neurosurgeon Dr. András Csókay, actors like Soma Zámbori, and gynecologists Dr. Ágnes Dékány and Dr. Balázs Bálint.

Last year’s campaign walk in Budapest marked the initiative’s first major public appearance, and this September, organizers hope to expand their reach and impact, inviting both individuals and institutions to stand for life—and for mothers in crisis.

Via mandiner.hu; Featured image: Everyone Deserves a Birthday Facebook