A new ASTRA video on SRHR in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia
FEDERA shared a moving series of interviews with activists, advocates and people working for change in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
The video presents the complex and often difficult realities faced by people defending sexual and reproductive health and rights in their countries: shrinking civic space, stigma, political backlash, barriers to abortion and contraception, gender-based violence, discrimination and attacks on bodily autonomy.
Through their own experiences, activists from ASTRA member organisations explain how these challenges affect people’s lives and how local movements continue to resist, organise and work for dignity, justice and civil rights.
Anti-abortion harassment outside hospitals in Gdańsk continues
In April, anti-abortion pickets organised by the anti-choice Life and Family Foundation continued outside St. Adalbert’s Hospital in Gdańsk.
In practice, these gatherings mean that patients, their relatives and hospital staff are forced to pass by graphic banners and listen to amplified sounds directly at the entrance to the hospital.
This is particularly alarming in light of the decision of the Regional Court in Gdańsk, which confirmed that such “demonstrations” outside hospitals are not simply an exercise of freedom of assembly, but may constitute a real threat to patients, staff and the functioning of a medical facility.
The court underlined that public authorities do not have to wait until harm occurs in order to intervene. A threat to patients’ peace, access to medical services and the diagnostic and therapeutic process is sufficient grounds for action, including the dissolution of an assembly.
FEDERA once again calls for buffer zones outside hospitals. They are needed now.
FEDERA and Ponton Group respond to changes in Health Education
Together with Ponton Group, FEDERA spoke out on the amendment concerning the school subject “Health Education”.
FEDERA expressed its deep disappointment at the exclusion of sexuality-related content from the subject. Comprehensive, reliable and accessible sexuality education is not an ideological addition to education. It is a matter of health, safety and young people’s right to knowledge about their bodies, relationships, boundaries and consent.
Despite this setback, FEDERA continues its educational work with knowledge, commitment and hope that one day the education system will join us.
FEDERA’s patronage of “Przegra”
FEDERA is proud to be the patron of “Przegra”, a monodrama telling the true story of an experience of miscarriage. This project is particularly important because voices that break taboos and speak about the realities of women’s lives still do not have enough space in the public sphere.
The first performance will take place in May, in Poznań and in Warsaw. After each performance, FEDERA will lead a meeting on the medical and legal aspects of miscarriage.
