The FEDERA Foundation for Women and Family Planning, known for its fight for legal and safe abortion, has opened a health center in Warsaw. He announces that he will help there, without breaking the applicable law. At the same time, he demands the fulfillment of his election promise to change the law on abortion.
This is the first gynecological office of its kind in Poland. The health center, created by the FEDERA Foundation, is a place where women can count on special support.
– This is our mission so that people who have had an abortion can come to us and tell us about it – says Dominika Ponikły from FEDERA Foundation for Women and Family Planning.
This is a place where women are supposed to get the help they need. Abortions will not be performed at the clinic because it is against the law in Poland. However, women can learn there how they can safely terminate their pregnancies and undergo medical examinations after they have done so. There is no shortage of those who count on such support.
In the Kobiecy Point View program on TVN24 GO, women who made this decision consciously, often without regret, talked about their experience of abortion. The lack of state support did not stop them.
– I knew immediately that I would terminate the pregnancy, but I was terrified that I didn't know how – says Agata Adamczuk. – I couldn't afford a visit to a private office, admits Justyna Wydrzyńska.
WATCH ON TVN24GO: “I had an abortion. I don't regret it.”
“Under Polish law, the fact that the fetus is deformed is absolutely not an indication to terminate the pregnancy.” TVN24
Freedom that costs a lot
Women often turn to non-governmental organizations for support. According to data from only one of them, the Abortion Dream Team, 50,000 people had access to abortion last year. Many people do it in secret, even from their loved ones.
– I only remember it negatively because we have no right to do it in our own country and we are afraid of the consequences – comments Marta Karkosa.
– First of all, it's a huge relief – says Justyna Wydrzyńska when asked what her thoughts were after having an abortion. – Mother of God, I am simply free – Agata Adamczyk recalls.
As the women say, this freedom still costs a lot. Justyna Wydrzyńska was convicted by a court for helping to provide abortion pills to another woman.
Expectations are high because there were great promises
Although a woman can terminate a pregnancy herself, under Polish law no one should directly help her do so.
Work is underway in the Sejm on the changes that the current ruling coalition promised during the election campaign. For now, however, there is no majority on this topic. That's why non-governmental organizations stopped waiting. The FEDER Health Center is already operational, and in a month, an Abortion Dream Team clinic is to be established in Warsaw.
– We finally decided to open a place that will push this topic a little further, we go a step further and show that abortion is a normal thing – says Anna Pięta from the Aborcjon Dream Team.
WATCH ON TVN24GO: They decided to give birth to children with lethal defects. They talked about their experiences
At the moment – not for everyone. The special committee dealing with draft abortion laws does not have a scheduled meeting date, so it is not known when the MPs will return to the matter.
It was supposed to be a new quality, but women's organizations – as they say – still have to cope somehow. From time to time they hear that it is not a good time for changes, and expectations are and will be high because there were great promises.
Main photo source: TVN24