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Warsaw: Difference between revisions
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|City=Warsaw | |City=Warsaw | ||
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[[File:Warsaw Old Town Market Square 10.JPG|400px | thumb|right|]] | |||
'''OVERVIEW''' | '''OVERVIEW''' | ||
As the largest city in Poland, you will find a greater variety of health care resources. However, Poland is experiencing what some call a "sexual revolution in reverse," as the Catholic Church displays increasingly greater influence on public policy. Birth control is legal but a prescription is required. Emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is available in Poland if you're over 15 years old, but this has been challenged, and it may require a prescription in the future. You can purchase pads and tampons, and there are actually quite a few Polish menstrual cup sellers as well. Regarding STIs, there are no travel restrictions, though you may be required to take an HIV test if you plan to stay in Poland for more than three months. There seems to be no known resource for providing PrEP or PEP. There is also no HPV vaccination program. In the past few years, the conservative government has taken a harsh stance on reproductive measures. They have announced that they will stop funding of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and that women must claim a male father in order to receive IVF treatment. Most controversially, the government has proposed a bill that would make abortion completely illegal. The current Polish abortion laws are also much more restrictive than in most other European countries, and these changes have brought a great deal of public outcry. | |||
==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ==Contraception (Birth Control)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Poland, birth control pills are only available with a prescription. There appears to be a six-cycle maximum for prescriptions. After six months, women may need to obtain a new birth control prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> From 1952-1989, Poland was under communist rule as the Polish People's Republic, and it served as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. During these years, birth control pills were legal and widely accessible. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union and the Polish People's Republic, the Catholic Church became increasingly powerful in Polish society. Today, this has created an environment in which doctors or pharmacists can refuse to sell birth control to women. Some have called the situation in Poland a "sexual revolution in reverse," as Polish society seems to be undoing years of social progress. | In Poland, birth control pills are only available with a prescription. There appears to be a six-cycle maximum for prescriptions. After six months, women may need to obtain a new birth control prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> Note that, in some cases, women have been asked if they are married when requesting to receive a prescription. However, there are progressive Polish physicians, as well, and experiences vary. | ||
From 1952-1989, Poland was under communist rule as the Polish People's Republic, and it served as a satellite state of the Soviet Union. During these years, birth control pills were legal and widely accessible. However, with the fall of the Soviet Union and the Polish People's Republic, the Catholic Church became increasingly powerful in Polish society. Today, this has created an environment in which doctors or pharmacists can refuse to sell birth control to women. Some have called the situation in Poland a "sexual revolution in reverse," as Polish society seems to be undoing years of social progress. | |||
Historically, some of the earliest changes came in 1991, when the Polish government removed subsidies for birth control, thereby tripling the price. As reported by the New York Times in 1991, "Since June 1989, when Poland's first non-Communist leaders in half a century took office, elements in the country's Catholic church have been pressing for parliamentary adoption of laws reflecting the church's social agenda. In the last year the Government has introduced voluntary religion classes in the public schools and tightened divorce laws."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/09/world/poland-ends-subsidies-for-birth-control-pills.html Poland Ends Subsidies for Birth Control Pills]</ref> In the past few years, the Catholic Church has vocally opposed public education on family planning, LGBT rights and sex education. The Church was most recently inflamed by "gender workshops," which encouraged sex education for young people. In response, the Church supported posters that stated “Protect Your Child Against Gender," which were plastered around schools in 2013.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/opinion/sierakowski-the-polish-churchs-gender-problem.html?_r=2 The Polish Church’s Gender Problem]</ref> As reported by the New York Times in early 2014, "Almost every day there are new pronouncements warning against gender ideology, for example, as when a priest commented in a talk in Poznan that 'gender leads to the devastation of families' and 'is associated with radical feminism, which advocates for abortion, the employment of women and the detention of children in preschools.'"<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/opinion/sierakowski-the-polish-churchs-gender-problem.html?_r=2 The Polish Church’s Gender Problem]</ref> | Historically, some of the earliest changes came in 1991, when the Polish government removed subsidies for birth control, thereby tripling the price. As reported by the New York Times in 1991, "Since June 1989, when Poland's first non-Communist leaders in half a century took office, elements in the country's Catholic church have been pressing for parliamentary adoption of laws reflecting the church's social agenda. In the last year the Government has introduced voluntary religion classes in the public schools and tightened divorce laws."<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/09/world/poland-ends-subsidies-for-birth-control-pills.html Poland Ends Subsidies for Birth Control Pills]</ref> In the past few years, the Catholic Church has vocally opposed public education on family planning, LGBT rights and sex education. The Church was most recently inflamed by "gender workshops," which encouraged sex education for young people. In response, the Church supported posters that stated “Protect Your Child Against Gender," which were plastered around schools in 2013.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/opinion/sierakowski-the-polish-churchs-gender-problem.html?_r=2 The Polish Church’s Gender Problem]</ref> As reported by the New York Times in early 2014, "Almost every day there are new pronouncements warning against gender ideology, for example, as when a priest commented in a talk in Poznan that 'gender leads to the devastation of families' and 'is associated with radical feminism, which advocates for abortion, the employment of women and the detention of children in preschools.'"<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/27/opinion/sierakowski-the-polish-churchs-gender-problem.html?_r=2 The Polish Church’s Gender Problem]</ref> | ||
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===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
Birth control pills are about 30-50 PLN (Polish Zloty) for a one month supply. The ring is about 80 PLN for a month supply. | If you choose to get a prescription through the public health care system (NFZ), the appointment may be free. If you get an appointment at a private clinic, you will pay more. Birth control pills are about 30-50 PLN (Polish Zloty) for a one month supply. The ring is about 80 PLN for a month supply. | ||
==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ==Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
Currently, emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is available in Poland without a prescription (if you're over 15 years old). This | '''UPDATE: The Polish President has approved a law that makes emergency contraception prescription-only. The law will go into effect in August 2017.'''<ref>[https://mic.com/articles/180798/poland-makes-emergency-contraception-a-prescription-only-drug-even-for-rape-survivors#.1SugsYKqY Poland makes emergency contraception a prescription-only drug — even for rape survivors]</ref> | ||
Currently, emergency contraception (the morning after pill) is available in Poland without a prescription (if you're over 15 years old). This will change in August 2017, when it will become prescription-only, including for rape survivors.<ref>[https://mic.com/articles/180798/poland-makes-emergency-contraception-a-prescription-only-drug-even-for-rape-survivors#.1SugsYKqY Poland makes emergency contraception a prescription-only drug — even for rape survivors]</ref> The background behind the law change is as follows: The Law and Justice Party (PiS) has wanted to make emergency contraception only available by prescription. This goes against how it's currently accessed in most European countries (i.e. no prescription needed) and it goes against the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency, which states that EC can be used safely and effectively without a prescription. However, the Polish Roman Catholic Church strongly condemns the use of morning after pill. Furthermore, in 2015, Polish Deputy Prime Minister Jaroslaw Gowin stated that morning after pills amount to "express abortion."<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-contraception-idUSKCN0WQ1U1 Poland to ban prescription-free emergency contraception]</ref> In June 2017, the Polish President approved a law to make emergency contraception only available by prescription.<ref>[https://mic.com/articles/180798/poland-makes-emergency-contraception-a-prescription-only-drug-even-for-rape-survivors#.1SugsYKqY Poland makes emergency contraception a prescription-only drug — even for rape survivors]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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''Dedicated Products / Progestin Only | ''Dedicated Products / Progestin Only | ||
Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:'' | Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:''<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
* Escapelle | * Escapelle | ||
''Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:'' | ''Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:''<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
* Postinor Duo | * Postinor Duo | ||
''Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin-Estrogen Combined | ''Oral Contraceptives used for EC / Progestin-Estrogen Combined | ||
Note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used | Note: in 28-day packs, only the first 21 pills can be used | ||
Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:'' | Take 4 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and take 4 more pills 12 hours later:''<ref>[http://ec.princeton.edu/worldwide/ Princeton EC Website]</ref> | ||
* Microgynon | * Microgynon | ||
* Minisiston | * Minisiston | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
The conservative Polish government has stated that it will stop state funding for in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Furthermore, a law was passed in October 2015 that only allowed women to undergo IVF if they named a man who would recognize the child as their own.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/us-poland-ivf-idUSKCN0SO2CY20151030 Polish ombudsman says IVF bill discriminates against single women]</ref> These laws attempt to fall in line with the Catholic Church, which opposed IVF because the Church believes it removes marital sex from procreation. Furthermore, Poland's Roman Catholic Church says that the freezing of embryos is equivalent to freezing human beings.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/dec/02/poland-end-state-funding-ivf-treatment Poland to end state funding for IVF treatment]</ref> | |||
Regarding maternity and paternity leave, as reported by the European Platform for Investing in Children, "Since January 2016, the leave system associated with childbirth was uniformed and made more flexible. Currently, the maternity leave lasts 20 weeks and paid parental leave lasts 32 weeks (can be divided into 4 parts). The cumulated length of paid leaves for the birth of one child amounts to 52 weeks. Fathers have 2 years for using 2 weeks of paternity leave they are entitled to."<ref>[http://europa.eu/epic/countries/poland/index_en.htm Poland: On the road to suitable solutions in family policy]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
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===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ===Laws & Social Stigmas=== | ||
In Poland, abortion is generally illegal. It is only permitted in certain circumstances, which include the following: when the woman's life is endangered by the pregnancy, when the pregnancy was caused by a criminal act (such as rape or incest), or when doctors determine that there is serious risk of fetus malformation. The pregnant woman must give written consent if she is a legal adult and able to give such consent. In other cases, a guardian must give legal consent. For all other cases, abortion is not available. This means that other general reasons for abortion, like economic/social reasons or availability upon request, are not permitted. For a brief time, Polish law allowed women to receive abortions due to their social or economic conditions, but this was later repealed. According to the Law on Family Planning, Human Embryo Protection and Conditions of Permissibility of Abortion Act (written in 1993 and 1997), "The right to life shall be subject to protection, including in the prenatal phase." Furthermore, "Upon being born, the child may demand redress for damages suffered before birth."<ref>[http://worldabortionlaws.com/map/ World Abortion Laws: Poland]</ref> | |||
If a woman illegally receives an abortion in Poland, she will be not be punished by the law. However, the physician or health care worker who provides the abortion may face up to 2 years of imprisonment. If someone terminates the pregnancy through "use of violence" or without the consent of the woman, that person faces 6 months to 8 years in prison. If anyone commits "bodily injury" to a fetus, that person may be subject to 2 years in prison. If the abortion results in the death of the woman, the heath care worker may receive up to 10 years in prison.<ref>[http://worldabortionlaws.com/map/ World Abortion Laws: Poland]</ref> | |||
During the communist years, Poland generally allowed abortion. In the 1950s, it was allowed under certain circumstances and, by the 1960s, abortion was available on request. This lead to some women in other European countries, like Sweden, traveling to Poland to receive abortions. However, with the fall of communism, Poland began to adopt more conservative policies toward abortion. In the 1990s, the government enacted newly severe abortion laws, making the country one of the most restrictive (in terms of abortion law) in Europe. In June 2015, Women on Waves delivered the abortion pill to Poland via drones, which flew from Germany to Poland. In late 2016, the Polish government began to pursue further restrictions. In October 2016, the Polish government proposed a new bill that would completely ban abortion. The bill would also punish women with up to 5 year prison sentences if they were found guilty of receiving an illegal abortion.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/02/women-to-go-on-strike-in-poland-abortion-law Women to go on strike in Poland in protest at planned abortion law]</ref> Following nationwide protests, the Polish parliament withdrew the potential abortion ban. | |||
Officially, the Polish government reports about 744 abortions per year. It is estimated that the real number is closer to 50,000 abortions per year.<ref>[https://news.vice.com/article/a-drone-is-flying-abortion-pills-from-germany-to-poland-this-weekend A Drone Is Flying Abortion Pills From Germany to Poland This Weekend]</ref> | |||
===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
If women want to receive abortions, one of the most common options is to travel to [[Germany]]. | |||
* [https://womenhelp.org/en/page/405/ciocia-basia-germany Ciocia Basia]: "Ciocia Basia is an activist group created to support women who want to come to Berlin to have an abortion. We facilitate contact and appointments with confidential, non-judgemental counsellors and medical professionals who offer the abortion pill for 150 E and the surgical abortion for 170 E. We also help with the translation into and from Polish. We try to reduce the amount of time you have to stay in Berlin for the procedure to only one day. We can provide free accommodation in volunteer homes in Berlin if needed. We do not profit financially from our activism! Contact: ciocia.basia@riseup.net, 0049 15210385680." Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ciocia-Basia-728670193835998/ | |||
* [https://www.maszwybor.net Kobiety w Sieci]: "Kobiety w Sieci’s mission is to give all women information how to get abortion in Poland, legal and restricted. We give women virtual mental support while they are during the process of abortion. Our work is not only about abortion, we also support the choices of contraceptive methods, including contraception after abortion." Social media: https://www.facebook.com/kobiety.wsieci. Email: womenhelp@riseup.net | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
If a woman receives a legal abortion and she is a recipient of Polish health insurance, her abortion will be covered by the government. According to some reports, underground abortions in Poland go for up to 4000 euros.<ref>[https://news.vice.com/article/a-drone-is-flying-abortion-pills-from-germany-to-poland-this-weekend A Drone Is Flying Abortion Pills From Germany to Poland This Weekend]</ref> | |||
==Advocacy & Counseling== | ==Advocacy & Counseling== | ||
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===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ===What to Get & Where to Get It=== | ||
* Women's Rights Center in Warsaw, a nongovernmental organization, Urszula Nowakowska, director. E-mail: temida@pleaurn.edu.pl | |||
* [http://free.ngo.pl./temida Centrum Praw Kobiet Women's Rights Center]: 00-679 Warsaw, Ul. Wilcza 60 #19, Email: temida@medianet.com.pl | |||
===Costs=== | ===Costs=== | ||
==List of Additional Resources== | ==List of Additional Resources== | ||
* Lambda Warszawa Association (Lambda Warsaw Association) - The oldest running Polish LGBT organization | |||
* [http://www.cpk.org.pl/ The Center for Women’s Rights]: "The Center for Women’s Rights is an organization committed to ensuring the equal rights of men and women in the public and private spheres. In all our work, we are driven by the conviction that the rights of women are an integral, inseparable part of the fundamental humans rights all should enjoy. Violence against women, regardless of whether perpetrated by an individual abuser, by a section of society, or by government, constitutes a human rights violation." | |||
* [http://swannet.org/en/members/support-and-development-human-rights-foundation Support and Development of Human Rights Foundation]: Offers free legal counseling to sex workers. You can email Justyna Sobeyko: justynasobeyko@poczta.fm | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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|title=Gynopedia | |title=Gynopedia | ||
|titlemode=append | |titlemode=append | ||
|keywords=contraception, birth control, emergency contraception, morning after pill, std test, sti test, hiv, treatment, medications, pharmacies, abortion, clinic, tampons, women's health, menstruation, menstrual, pregnancy | |keywords=poland, warsaw, contraception, birth control, emergency contraception, morning after pill, std test, sti test, hiv, treatment, medications, pharmacies, abortion, clinic, tampons, women's health, menstruation, menstrual, pregnancy | ||
|description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in | |description=Find sexual, reproductive and women's health care in Warsaw. | ||
}} | }} | ||