Northern Europe: Sweden resumes walk for life after several decade hiatus

After decades of silence, a new generation resumed Sweden’s walk for life.

Some organisers wanted to include the new marches in the Christian Value Party’s platform, but according to Plamen Najdenov, they felt it was best to keep them politically neutral. Najdenov works for the organisation Livsval, which was founded in 2017 and raises awareness of the devastating effects of abortion.

Abortion is allowed up to 18 weeks on request, but that number can be extended to 22 weeks in exceptional cases.

According to Najdenov, the first march was held in the 1990s. Decades later, it was held in the southern city of Linköping in 2018. The pro-life march eventually reached key cities such as Gothenburg and Stockholm. The event sees an average of 50-100 participants yearly, but the Covid-19 pandemic saw much lower numbers.

In the past, participants held up several signs that focused on the abortion procedure. “Choose alternatives to abortion, Stop financing abortions in the third world, and save the world’s girls, ban sex-selective abortions” were just some of the statements posted on their placards.

Others focused on the end of life. Signs that read “No to euthanasia and assisted suicide!” have also been displayed at the events.

Then, Livsval came up with a new idea in their fight for life.  In a previous demonstration in Stockholm, participants displayed as many as 800 pairs of socks. The socks represented the number of abortions performed in a particular place. In Stockholm county, the average number of abortions has been as high as 800 per month, according to Najdenov.

In this year’s march, the group continued the idea of holding up several pairs of socks in the city of Jönköping. Participants also displayed placards and played Gospel music on loudspeakers.

Although the demonstrations continue to run yearly, the organisation would like more participation. Sweden is a vast country with long distances between the nearest town or city. Participants from around the country have long journeys to participate in the demonstrations. Sometimes, as few as ten people have attended in the past.

“But we don’t give up. We see some benefit from it, in any case. We hope and believe that we make an impression and maybe save a few children’s lives.” Najdenov says to CNE.