Important national developments On 15 October 2023, parliamentary elections were held in Poland. As a result, a coalition of opposition parties is likely to take power in Poland. The new democratic majority most likely raises hopes for improvements in fields of reproductive rights, minority rights and the rule of law in Poland. The new political climate allows Civil Society Organisations new opportunities for advocacy work. FEDERA News and projects National advocacy Senate bill on in READ MORE
Tag: reproductive and sexual rights
EUROPEAN UNION ADDRESSING THE URGENT NEEDS OF REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE WHO SEEK SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE SUPPORT
Members of the European Parliament express serious concern about the situation of refugee women from Ukraine and call for concrete efforts by the EU Institutions to ensure fulfilment of obligations under the Temporary Protection Directive. 17 October 2023 (PRESS RELEASE) – Today, the European Parliament held a plenary debate on the situation of refugee women from Ukraine, including their access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The debate addressed the serious barriers refugee women READ MORE
FEDERA’S COMMENT ON THE POLISH PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION EXIT POLL RESULTS
In Poland, 15th October 2023 will be remembered as a day on which history was made. An astonishing 74% turnout, with record-high women’s participation (over 73% according to exit polls), makes this year’s parliamentary elections the biggest in terms of the number of voters in modern Polish history. The turnout exceeds even the first partially free elections that led to the abolition of the communist regime back in 1989 – and does so by a READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT AT THE 54TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Human Rights Council 54th session of the Human Rights Council September 2023 Item 3: General Debate Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. With the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland we reiterate the imperative of decriminalisation and legalisation of access to abortion in Poland to save lives and preserve the health of women, girls and pregnant persons. The criminalisation of abortion is taking READ MORE
OLA AND THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO HER MISCARRIAGE
On 26 July 2023 Wysokie Obcasy published an article on Ola, another victim of anti-abortion obsession and institutional violence against women in need of reproductive care in Poland. Ola’s case goes back to 2022. Before giving birth to her son in 2019, Ola’s attempts to get pregnant were marked by miscarriages due to her gynecological condition. In 2022, she became pregnant again and this was a planned pregnancy. In the 18th week of pregnancy, she READ MORE
POLICE INTERVENTION IN THE CASE OF JOANNA WHO TOOK ABORTION PILLS
This case constitutes yet another episode of Poland’s anti-abortion obsession as innocent women fell victim to the criminalisation of abortion in Poland. The story was made public by Fakty TVN on 18th July 2023. In April of this year Joanna took an abortion pill. She was not feeling well so she called her psychiatrist and told about her abortion. The doctor then called the police without informing Joanna of doing so. Joanna was found at READ MORE
“CARE IN CRISIS” REPORT PRESENTED IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
Polish foundations FEDERA and Feminoteka, along with the Center for Reproductive Rights and partner organisations from Hungary, Slovakia and Romania were in the European Parliament to present the report “Care in Crisis. Failures to guarantee the sexual and reproductive health and rights of refugees from Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.” Since Federa has been closely involved in the research for the fact finding as regards the situation in Poland, the organisation’s International Advocacy READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT FOR THE 53RD SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
Below you will find FEDERA’s statement for the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, Felipe González Morales following his visit to Poland. Human Rights Council53st session of the Human Rights CouncilJune 2023 Thank you, President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland.We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the human READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – APRIL-MAY 2023
Federa news and projects A groundbreaking win for FEDERA – mental health recognized as a reason for accessing abortion in Polish hospitals, says the National Patients’ Ombudsman Foundation for Women and Family Planning FEDERA won a clear position on abortion in public hospitals from the Ombudsman for Patients’ Rights. Today there is no doubt: the refusal to terminate the pregnancy, despite the threat to the patient’s mental health identified by the psychiatrist, is a violation READ MORE
GROUNDBREAKING WIN FOR FEDERA – MENTAL HEALTH RECOGNIZED AS A REASON FOR ACCESSING ABORTION IN POLISH HOSPITALS
A groundbreaking win for FEDERA – mental health recognized as a reason for accessing abortion in Polish hospitals, says the National Patients’ Ombudsman Foundation for Women and Family Planning FEDERA won a clear position on abortion in public hospitals from the Ombudsman for Patients’ Rights. Today there is no doubt: the refusal to terminate the pregnancy, despite the threat to the patient’s mental health identified by the psychiatrist, is a violation of the law. FEDERA’s READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – MARCH 2023
FEDERA NEWS AND PROJECTS FEDERA at the 52nd session of the United Nation’s Human Rights Council FEDERA’s SRHR support for Ukrainian refugees NEW! Gynecological helpline in Ukrainian language available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 17-21 pm, tel. +48 573 185 628. For the 1 year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine FEDERA drafted a report on the activities responding to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as regards SRHR. Among these are: Since June 2022, READ MORE
OUTCOME OF THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF POLAND AT THE 52ND SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
During the March session of the Human Rights Council FEDERA made a statement on the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review on Poland. The statement derived from the UPR report FEDERA and Sexual Rights Initiative submitted to the Human Rights Council for the purpose of Poland’s review. In the statement we welcomed the robust recommendations addressed to Poland on sexual and reproductive health and rights and women’s rights (17 of them on SRHR only!), and READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – FEBRUARY 2023
Federa news and projects FEDERA’s SRHR support for Ukrainian refugees February marks 1 year anniversary of the Russian invasion on Ukraine. FEDERA drafted a rep ort on the activities responding to the needs of Ukrainian refugees as regards SRHR. Among these are: Since June 2022, led by the Center for Reproductive Rights, FEDERA and Feminoteka are the two organisations from Poland that together with other organisations from countries bordering Ukraine have been working together on a project to document READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – JANUARY 2023
Federa news and projects FEDERA intervention in the case of the 24-year-old girl who was refused access to legal abortion care At the end of January, in a small town in Podlasie (Eastern part of Poland), a 24-year-old girl with intellectual disability was raped by her uncle. When it turned out that she was pregnant, the prosecutor was notified and initiated criminal investigation. Two hospitals closest to her place of residence refused to perform abortion READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – NOVEMBER 2022
FEDERA NEWS AND PROJECTS FEDERA’s SRHR support for Ukrainian refugees LEAFLET ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE FOR WOMEN REFUGEES and information on our legal helpline I Ukrainian and Polish here Joint initiative addressing SRHR needs of women and girls fleeing the war in Ukraine Since June 2022, led by the Center for Reproductive Rights, FEDERA and Feminoteka are the two organisations from Poland that together with other organisations from countries bordering Ukraine have been working together on a project to document READ MORE
JOINT INITIATIVE ADDRESSING SRHR NEEDS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS FLEEING THE WAR IN UKRAINE
Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, millions of people, particularly women and children fled Ukraine and crossed the borders of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, other EU member states and Moldova. Thousands of them needed sexual and reproductive health and gender based violence support services, and thousands more may need these services in the future. Since June 2022, led by the Center for Reproductive Rights, FEDERA and Feminoteka are the two organisations from Poland READ MORE
POLAND’S UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW – 17 RECOMMENDATIONS ON ACCESS TO SAFE AND LEGAL ABORTION
The review of Poland under the Fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review was held on 15 November 2022 by the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review. Two days after the Working Group adopted the report on Poland containing 433 recommendations to improve the protection of human rights as regards its full spectrum covered by the international human rights treaties. In the area of sexual and reproductive rights Poland has received recommendations from 17 States. READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – OCTOBER 2022
Relevant SRHR developments in Poland Justyna Wydrzyńska court case On October 2022, the third! hearing of abortion activist Justyna Wydrzyńska was adjourned by the Praga District Court in Warsaw. The case was not heard because the witness of accusation failed to appear in court yet another time. Justyna is charged with helping in abortion on the basis of Article 152.2 of the Polish Penal Code, and possession of unauthorized drugs with the aim of introducing READ MORE
FEDERA TWO YEARS AFTER THE ABORTION BAN
Two years have passed since the illegitimate Constitutional Court’s ruling on abortion. On 22 October 2020, Polish flowed Constitutional Tribunal ruled that terminating a pregnancy in the case of severe fetal abnormalities is unconstitutional. The latest Onet poll shows that 70% of Polish women and men do not support these shameful changes. Only 9% view the ruling well. In the poll, respondents named the culprits of women’s hell: Kaczyński and the Church. A Radio Zet READ MORE
SRHR AND FEDERA OVERVIEW – SEPTEMBER 2022
RELEVANT SRHR DEVELOPMENTS IN POLAND Criminal charges against doctors in the case of Izabela from Pszczyna In 22 September 2021 Izabela from Pszczyna died for lack of access to life saving abortion care. Following family notification to the Prosecutor, one year later the three doctors who were responsible for taking care of Izabela have been charged with causing danger to her life and health. In addition, two out of three doctors have been charged with READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT AT THE 51ST SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN GENEVA
In this session’s statement FEDERA focus is on access to sexual and reproductive health services for survivors of sexual assaults including refugees from Ukraine and Belarus. Human Rights Council 51st regular session of the Human Rights Council September 2022 Thank you President. I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. Ukrainian refugees even those who are survivors of sexual assault face severe obstacles in access to abortion READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – AUGUST 2022
RELEVANT SRHR DEVELOPMENTS IN POLAND Official abortion statistics for 2021 The Ministry of Health published official abortion statistics according which only 107 abortions were carried out in Poland in 2021 (compared to 1076 In 2020). These extremely low abortion statistics are the consequence of the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling of 22 October 2020 banning abortion on the grounds of foetal defects which entered into force on 27 January 2021. Out of 107 abortions carried out in READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – JULY 2022
Relevant SRHR developments in Poland Pregnancy register The so-called „pregnancy register” came into force on 6 July by means of the regulation of the Ministry of Health which concerns data inserted in the online medical information system. Data on pregnancy will be included in this database. Doctors only are to have access to this database. Please see FEDERA comments here. Abortion activist’s criminal case On 14 July 2022, the second hearing of abortion activist READ MORE
FEDERA STATEMENT FOR THE 50TH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IN INTERACTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE WORKING GROUP ON DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS
Human Rights Council 50th regular session of the Human Rights Council 16 June 2022 Thank you Mr. President, I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. We welcome the Working Group’s report and analysis on the importance and restrictions faced by young feminist activists, including those organizing for sexual rights. In Poland too, young feminists organizing for abortion access are facing threats, reprisals and criminalization for READ MORE
FEDERA COMMENTS ON THE SO-CALLED “PREGNANCY REGISTER” THAT IS BEING INTRODUCED IN POLAND
“Pregnancy Register” is a project of the Ministry of Health, which in the form of regulation entered into force on 3 June 2022. It consists of collecting information about the patient in a nationwide digital data system, including information about diagnosed pregnancy. Although the Ministry explains its aim is to facilitate the work of doctors, in today’s Poland, every change in reproductive health, especially related to the collection of sensitive data gives rise to suspicion READ MORE
FEDERA AND SRI’S REPORT TO THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ON SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS VIOLATIONS FOR THE UPR OF POLAND
Foundation for Women and Family Planning (FEDERA) and the Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) submitted a joint report on the state and degree of violations of sexual and reproductive rights by Poland for the Fourth Universal Periodic Review of Poland planned for November 2022. The report focuses on violations of women’s sexual and reproductive rights in and the stark impact of the restriction on abortion introduced in November 2020 that amounts to quasi total abortion ban READ MORE
FEDERA’S STATEMENT CONCERNING THREATS FOR SRHR DURING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN POLAND READ DURING THE UN HRC SESSION
On March 22, during the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, our statement was read. Human Rights Council 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council ITEM 4 General debate 21 March 2022 I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland. As a result of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, around 2 million Ukrainians fled to Poland[1] majority of whom are women READ MORE
CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS ON EUROPEAN AND OTHER GLOBAL LEADERS TO PROTECT THE SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS FLEEING UKRAINE CONFLICT
Brussels, 17 March 2022 (Press Release) Today over 60 organizations called on European authorities and the international community to urgently protect the health of women and girls fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. In a Call to Action published today, the organizations expressed grave concern about the reproductive health care needs and human rights of refugees in Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia and also outlined the severe impact that the war is having on the sexual READ MORE
NEW WHO ABORTION CARE GUIDELINE IS OUT
The new WHO Abortion Care Guideline is out. The new guideline updates the WHO’s last version issued in 2012. Drawing on the latest scientific evidence and data, the guideline provides recommendations on abortion law and policy approaches, clinical management, and service delivery for states and health systems to follow.
ONGOING RULE OF LAW CRISIS IN POLAND VIOLATES SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF WOMEN – ART. 7 HEARING OF POLAND BY THE GAC
On 22 February 2022, Poland will be heard at the of for General Affairs Council of the EU Ministers in connection with the procedure under Art. 7 TEU, initiated in 2017 by the European Commission in response to violations of the rule of law in Poland. At this stage, there are no doubts as to the scale of the impact of rule of law crisis on the fundamental rights of EU citizens, especially as regards READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – SECOND HALF OF 2021
Last week, the Polish Minister of Health Andrzej Niedzielski issued a draft ministerial ordinance that – if passed – would digitalize all patients’ data in a system administrated by the Minister himself. The System of Medical Information to include details regarding pregnancy and any “foreign objects inserted into the body”, including IUDs and contraceptive implants. The idea quickly gained the name “national pregnancy register” in Poland, where activists call for alarm over the extremely disturbing READ MORE
FEDERATION’S STATEMENTS AT THE 48TH SESSION OF THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
On 1 October the Federation presented its statement at the debate on Universal Periodic Reviews in the context of Poland’s upcoming review in 2020. We urged Human Rights Council and all member states to hold our government accountable for obligations to ensure right to safe, legal and accessible abortion, modern contraception and comprehensive sexuality education. On 4 October our statement was read out for the occasion of the International Safe Abortion Day. As each year READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – JUNE-JULY 2021
July 16 Work of the Federation for Women and Family Planning Decriminalisation of abortion campaign – sign a petition Federation continues its campaign aiming at decriminalising abortion in Poland. Please support our action and sign the petition asking Polish MPs to proceed with the so-called Rescue Bill tabled at the Parliament by the Left party. The Rescue Bill removes criminal liability for physicians who perform abortions in case of fetal impairment and for those assisting READ MORE
WE DEMAND DECRIMINALIZATION OF ABORTION IN POLAND – THE FEDERATION’S STATEMENT AT THE UN HRC47
Human Rights Council47th regular session of the Human Rights Council21 June 2021 – 13 July 2021ID with WG on discrimination against women – report on Women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights in crisis I make this statement on behalf of the Federation for Women and Family Planning from Poland.We welcome the Working Group’s reports on SRHR in crisis, on its visit to Romania, and its continuous monitoring of the SRHR crisis in Poland READ MORE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON SRHR IN THE EU
REPORT on the situation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health.
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – MAY 2021
June 4 — On 13 May the parliamentary session of the Parliamentary Group on Human Rights and Sexual and Reproductive Rights led by the MPs from Left wing party has been held in the Polish Sejm. The doctors, representatives of organizations helping women (including the Federation for Women and Family Planning and Abortion Dream Team) and activists have been sharing how their work has changed and what lived consequences the decision of the flawed Constitutional READ MORE
SRHR IN POLAND OVERVIEW – JANUARY-APRIL 2021
April 30 — Since 27 January 2021, following the entry into force of the decision of the illegitimate Polish Constitutional Tribunal (case no. K 1/20) (CT), abortion is illegal in Poland, with exceptions of the pregnancy being a result of rape or incest, or a threat to the woman’s life or health. Access to abortion and other SRHR after the decision of the illegitimate CT A ban on abortion obviously does not mean that Polish READ MORE
WOMEN’S COLLECTIVE COMPLAINT: LODGE AN APPLICATION TO THE EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN STRASBURG AGAINST THE RULING OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL TRIBUNAL ON ABORTION
January 1 — Today, together with cause dedicated lawyers, we are starting an action titled Women’s Collective Complaint (Skarga Kobiet). Civic Initiative Women’s Collective Complaint (Inicjatywa Obywatelska Skarga Kobiet) and the Federation for Women and Family Planning have developed a model application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg (ECHR). It is a complaint against violation of rights guaranteed under the European Convention of Human Rights, which is in force in Poland. Anyone READ MORE