Alyssa Milano calls for sex strike in protest of abortion ban in Georgia

'We have control over our own bodies and how we use them'

Alyssa Milano has called for women to join her in a sex strike in protest of abortion being banned in Georgia.

Days after the state became the fourth in the US to ban abortions this year, the star of TV shows Charmed and Melrose Place posted a message on Twitter asking women to stop having sex "until we get bodily autonomy back".

She wrote: “We need to understand how dire the situation is across the country. It’s reminding people that we have control over our own bodies and how we use them.”

The restrictive law means that abortions are not permitted after approximately six weeks into the pregnancy when cardiac activity is detected. Those who do risk life imprisonment.

Milano's messages sparked controversy among her followers with both liberals and conservatives alike. The former camp expressed the feeling that Milano's calls were promoting a false narrative that women only have sex as a favour to men.

When asked how long she suggests the sex strike should last, Milano replied: “I mean, I don’t know. I sent a tweet last night I haven’t really thought much past that this morning.”

The other states to have passed the law include Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio.

Planned Parenthood released a statement moments after the bill was signed by the governor, and pledged to take Georgia to task over the abortion policy.

“Planned Parenthood will be suing the State of Georgia. We will fight this terrible bill because this is about our patients' lives,” Dr Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said.