Poland first “abortion clinic” opens amid protest

Mar 9, 2025 | Law, Politics, Society

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Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

A facility that reproductive rights activists describe as Poland’s first ever abortion clinic has opened in Warsaw. The launch – held on International Women’s Day – was met with protests by anti-abortion groups.

Critics say that the initiative violates Poland’s strict abortion laws, which allow terminations in only two narrowly restricted circumstances and criminalise those who assist women in obtaining unlawful abortions. However, the group behind the clinic argues that it conforms with all relevant regulations.

The facility, named “Abotak” (a portmanteau of “aborcja”, meaning abortion, and “tak”, meaning yes), does not provide medical services itself. Instead, it offers a space for women to take abortion pills that they can order in advance.

The clinic, which has been created by activist group Abortion Dream Team, also provides pregnancy tests and advice on how to terminate pregnancies, including by helping arrange and fund surgical abortions abroad.

It has been opened opposite Poland’s parliament, which the organisers hope will help “exert pressure on politicians” whose “incompetence” has resulted in them failing to fulfil promises to liberalise the abortion law.

Abortion Dream Team says that the clinic was established thanks to private donations, with 150,000 zloty (€36,000) raised in six months. The facility also sells a range of merchandise – such as clothes saying “Abortion is life” and work by feminist artists – with the proceeds used to help women obtain abortions.

 

Saturday’s opening drew a protest outside by anti-abortion and nationalist groups, who held signs saying “baby killers” and “abortion [is] a death sentence for the innocent”. One woman entering the clinic was doused with red paint by the protesters, reports the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

Opponents of the initiative argue that it violates the law because, although a woman herself cannot be punished for having an unlawful abortion, anyone who helps her do so can be jailed for up to three years.

Ordo Iuris, a prominent conservative legal organisation, is among those that have voiced concern. In 2022, it published a set of guidelines to encourage the prosecution of those who use, supply and advertise abortion pills.

In 2023, one of Abortion Dream Team’s leading figures, Justyna Wydrzyńska, was found guilty of helping a woman terminate her pregnancy by sending her abortion pills. However, last month, an appeals court ordered the case to be reheard because the initial verdict was issued by an improperly appointed judge.

Abortion Dream Team claims that its new facility is “fully compliant with applicable regulations” and that “neither we nor the people using our service are at risk of legal consequences”.

Currently, abortions are permitted in only two circumstances in Poland: if a pregnancy threatens the mother’s life or health, or if it results from a criminal act such as rape or incest. As a result, only hundreds of legal terminations take place in Poland each year.

However, activists say that tens of thousands more abortions take place outside the law, mainly through the use of abortion pills, which are provided to Polish women by a range of domestic and foreign organisations.

Abortion Dream Team says its clinic is “open to all people who need help with terminating pregnancy” and that “we never ask for reasons” why someone wants an abortion.

The current abortion law was introduced by a 2020 constitutional court ruling issued under the rule of the conservative former Law and Justice (PiS) government.

In December 2023, a new, more liberal coalition led by Donald Tusk came to power. Among its promises was to liberalise the abortion law. However, it has so far failed to pass any such legislation due to disagreements within the coalition.

Tusk admitted last year that it may be impossible to do so during the current parliament. In the meantime, his government issued guidelines on when and how abortions can be carried out, with the aim of ensuring that doctors and prosecutors “take the women’s side” when making decisions on the issue.

“We were promised legal abortion, but there is still no sign of it,” said Abortion Dream Team, explaining why it had established the clinic. “Politicians cannot keep their word [so] we will do it for them. We will not wait idly by; we want access to abortion in Poland to be available now.”

Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.

Main image credit: Kuba Atys / Agencja Wyborcza.pl

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