Thousands of people in Poland participated in a demonstration for abortion rights on Thursday. This demonstration took place in various cities, including the capital Warsaw and more than 20 other cities.
Abortion Laws in Poland
Abortion in Poland is only legal in cases where the pregnancy results from a criminal act such as rape or incest, or when the life or health of the mother is at risk. For this reason, most abortions are performed secretly.
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Protesters took to the streets holding placards with slogans such as "Women’s hell continues" and "Quality men are not afraid of equality." Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who came to power in 2023, had promised to ease abortion restrictions. However, divisions among coalition members have disrupted efforts to change the law, and protesters have accused the government of breaking its promises.
Legal Changes and Reactions
Abortion has been legal in this predominantly Catholic country since 1993, but only in cases where there is a threat to the life or health of the mother, or the pregnancy results from rape or incest, or severe fetal abnormalities. In 2020, under the conservative Law and Justice (PiS) government, abortion laws were tightened, and abortion in cases of fetal abnormalities was banned.
Legal activists say that tens of thousands of abortions are performed outside of hospitals each year. Women who undergo abortions secretly, for example by taking pills, do not face criminal liability. However, those who assist them, including doctors and family members, may be prosecuted and face up to three years in prison.
Thursday's demonstration took place just days after the Polish parliament passed two bills intended to ease abortion restrictions, but these bills are expected to be vetoed by President Karol Nawrocki, who supports the conservative PiS party. Kinga Jelińska, director of the "Women Helping Women" foundation and co-founder of the abortion dream team, described the measures as "insignificant crumbs."
Activists say that the passage of these laws a year before the next parliamentary elections is merely a symbolic gesture that has no chance of becoming law. They accuse Tusk's liberal government of creating an appearance of action solely for the need for women's votes in the upcoming elections.
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