While the streets of Warsaw have been engulfed by vehement
protests over the government's plan to further restrict abortion, individual
Polish women are struggling daily to find ways of ending their unwanted
pregnancies.
Monika, 19, had recently split up with her boyfriend when
she realized with horror that she was pregnant. With no partner, no money and
years of education ahead, she felt an abortion was her only option. But
abortion in Poland is illegal in most cases and even when she tracked down a
doctor rumored to bend the rules, he refused.
So Monika did what many Polish women before her have done -
packed a bag, crossed the border into Germany and had an abortion in a place
where it is safe and legal. Many have also gone to the Czech Republic, Slovakia
or the Netherlands.
"I feel good now," she told The Associated Press
from her hospital bed after ending her 7-week pregnancy in Prenzlau, Germany.
"I would have had no one to leave the baby with and would not have coped
financially. I was not ready to face this."
Poland, like the United States, is a society deeply divided
over abortion. The Central European nation has one of the most restrictive laws
in Europe and a government loyal to the Catholic church that wants to further
restrict abortions. But a recent attempt to impose a total ban on abortion
outraged many Polish women who held street protests that forced lawmakers to
abandon that idea.
Compiled by Anastazja Aleksandra.
No comments:
Post a Comment