WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Hundreds of women have marched in Warsaw to demand greater accessibility to abortion, better working conditions and more state support in raising children.

The annual march by women's organizations on Sunday was held for the 17th time, ahead of Tuesday's International Women's Day.

The marchers carried banners in the rain that called for the state to open more nurseries and pre-schools, better job security and higher pay for women. They also said that professionally-performed legal abortions help protect the lives of women.

Abortion in Poland is allowed when pregnancy endangers the woman's life, is the result of rape or incest, or when the fetus has an incurable defect.

Women's rights activists are concerned that these regulations may be toughened by the ruling conservative Law and Justice party.