2024 will go down in FEDERA’s history as a time of intense struggle, great disappointments, but also groundbreaking victories. The post-election hope for change collided with the calculated reality of politics, yet we did not give up. As always, FEDERA was at the center of events—observing the situation, supporting women across the country, and co-creating positive change.
One of our greatest achievements was the opening of the FEDERA Health Center in the heart of Warsaw. This facility provides comprehensive healthcare in the fields of sexual, reproductive, and mental health, ensuring safety, respect for patients’ rights, and the absence of the conscience clause. The Center is a culmination of the Foundation’s years of experience and the dedication of experts fighting for women’s rights.
Although the past year did not bring the long-awaited end to the abortion ban, our work has led to a breakthrough. For the first time in history, the Ministry of Health issued official recommendations on performing abortions in Polish hospitals. These guidelines largely align with the ones we developed based on our daily experiences at FEDERA. Preliminary data indicates that our strategy is working—in 2024, more abortions were performed than at any time since the ban was introduced by the Constitutional Tribunal four years ago.
But that is not all. Last year, it was announced that hospitals refusing to perform legal abortions would face penalties for breaching their contracts with the National Health Fund. FEDERA’s legal team has been reporting cases of unlawful refusals to the Patient Ombudsman’s Office for years. Today, we can proudly say that every penalty imposed on hospitals in 2024 involved cases in which FEDERA was actively engaged.
After years of efforts, the Ministry of Health has also decided to expand the prenatal screening program. We have long advocated for this change because at FEDERA, we know how crucial universal access to prenatal diagnostics is. Expanding the program is a milestone in the fight for healthy, safe, and wanted motherhood—a right that should belong to all of us, regardless of our place of residence or financial situation.
It is also impossible to overlook a revolutionary decision by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which explicitly condemned Poland’s anti-abortion laws. The investigation, initiated at FEDERA’s request, concluded that Poland’s legislation violates the right to equal treatment and discriminates against women in access to healthcare. The CEDAW decision was also debated in the European Parliament, contributing to the renewed discussion on incorporating abortion rights into the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
We enter the new year with renewed energy, strengthened by victories and ready for further battles. We are fighting for a new abortion law, broader contraception reimbursement, mandatory sex education, and gynecology free from violence. The road ahead will not be easy, but we know that together, we will build a country where women are respected and safe.
We invite you to read the report summarizing FEDERA’s activities in recent months.
