Across the World activist use humor, satire, sarcasm and irony to express dissent and challenge the absurdities of institutional power. Humor is a powerful device to defy the multi-faceted dimensions of Patriarchy. “You can say it and yet not say it with humor”, says Kamla Bhasin renowned feminist; In her book Laughing Matters, a feminist joke book Ms. Bhasin retorted to the ‘ridiculousness of patriarchy’ with satire and burlesque to depict the discriminations encountered by women.

Conversations about sexuality, reproductive health and more importantly, abortion are still a taboo in our society; our society stigmatizes abortion and those who have them, even those advocating for women’s right are hesitant to talk about abortion. Silence around abortion hurts women it makes them afraid to talk about their experiences. In such a situation wittiness and sarcasm can become important devices that help to absorb the messages without being hammered on the head.

Here are some actually funny videos and jokes about abortion that has helped to mainstream the discourse around it and expose the hypocrisy of our culture.

We love George Carlin a stand up comedian, satirist and social critic known for wittiness and pro-choice views Watch him take down anti-choicers down in this video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvF1Q3UidWM

Obvious Child a short anti-Juno film with an honest, compassionate, and humorous looks at abortion and dating. It makes abortion sympathetic and funny while adroitly reflecting the experiences of millions of women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be7uSIjFCa0

Grandma, a film about an older woman who sets out on a road trip to help her troubled granddaughter. The film tackles unintended pregnancy and abortion in a sensitive and funny way, “it combines family drama, subversive comedy and pro-choice polemic in 80 brisk and very funny minutes.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L6kVyu9zUY