Abortion Policy in Postcommunist Europe: The Conflict in Poland

This article traces the history of abortion policy in Poland and attempts to shed light on how and why a complete reversal in abortion policy took place and what this reversal will mean over time. The historical perspective begins with a consideration of the relatively liberal policy of 1932 which allowed physicians to abort pregnancies arising from criminal offenses or which threatened maternal health. This policy was further liberalized in 1956 and 1959 when abortion became available virtually on demand. Access to abortion services was restricted in 1990 and the 1993 law permits abortion only in public hospitals when the life or health of the woman is seriously threatened by the pregnancy or the pregnancy resulted from a crime. In each case strict certification measures are required. Abortion was an important method of birth control in Poland because modern contraceptives were largely inaccessible but the new restrictions on abortion have not prevented a fall in the birth rate to below replacement levels. Abortion is next considered in terms of its medical consequences and in terms of the social context of fertility regulation in Poland. The legacy of church and state conflict is explored and the abortion debate is traced to its beginnings in 1929-32. The results of opinion polls that reveal an ambivalent majority which wants to maintain legal access are considered. A look at the conservative backlash of 1989-93 provides a description of the campaign to outlaw abortion which was led by the Catholic church. The conduct of the abortion debate is described and external influences on the debate are noted. Organized resistance to the legal ban on abortion is considered and the inability of the feminist groups to prevail is explained. The broader societal implications of the Catholic Churchs stand on this issue are then explored and the possibility of another major policy reversal on abortion is forwarded. It is concluded that Poland is not able to substantially improve its structure for delivering family planning services and that another poorly considered and radical shift on abortion policy will provoke conflicts and perpetuate rather than solve existing problems.