Thousands of demonstrators mobilized across more than 20 cities in Poland on the sixth anniversary of a stringent abortion ban instituted by the nation’s highest court. The protests underscore a persistent demand for expanded access to free and legal abortion services.
Currently, Polish law permits abortion only under limited circumstances, including cases of rape, incest, or when the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother’s life or health. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who recently assumed office, had pledged to liberalize these restrictions leading up to his 2023 electoral victory. However, divisions within his governing coalition have hindered significant progress.
The demonstrations followed parliamentary discussions on two legislative bills aimed at easing the country’s strict abortion regulations. Despite this advancement, these proposals are expected to face a veto from Poland’s conservative President Karol Nawrocki. Reproductive rights advocates, such as Zofia Marcinek from the Abortion Dream Team in Warsaw, characterize the draft bills as insincere “token gestures” rather than genuine efforts for reform, suggesting that the government is attempting to project an image of responsiveness to women’s needs as the next parliamentary election approaches.
In the capital city of Warsaw, approximately 1,000 protesters gathered outside parliament, undeterred by inclement weather. Emilia Niemiec, manager of the AboTak abortion center, noted that conditions for women seeking abortion services have remained stagnant despite political claims to the contrary. Her center provides vital resources, including medication for pharmacological abortions, emphasizing the ongoing need for safe and accessible reproductive healthcare.
Poland’s abortion laws have been some of the most restrictive in Europe since they were notably tightened in 2020 under the Law and Justice (PiS) government, effectively prohibiting abortions based on fetal anomalies. Despite the retrenchment, abortions continue to occur, predominantly facilitated by women utilizing pills sourced from abroad. Under current Polish law, women who undergo an abortion do not face legal consequences, although those assisting them can potentially be prosecuted.
In the first half of 2026, Polish hospitals recorded 573 abortions—an increase from 452 in the entirety of 2022, according to the National Health Fund. Activists contend that the true number of abortions performed annually is likely much higher, with many women seeking care outside of hospital settings.
Organizers of the recent protests express growing frustration with the Tusk government, asserting that its promises for improved access to abortion have ultimately complicated healthcare delivery for many women. Marcinek emphasized that misleading claims about the state of abortion access have created confusion and anxiety among women facing unintended pregnancies, ultimately leading them to seek assistance only when their situations have become dire and costly.
As Poland grapples with these contentious issues surrounding reproductive rights, the ongoing protests reflect a broader conversation about women’s rights and healthcare access, highlighting the importance of transparency and integrity in policymaking.
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