Latest news with #AbortionDreamTeam
The Guardian
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Abortion Dream Team review – dynamic study of activists resisting Poland's near-total ban
Under Poland's near-total abortion ban, a group of courageous activists step up for women's autonomy. Deploying a fly-on-the-wall approach, Karolina Domagalska's dynamic film closely follows the tireless efforts of Abortion Dream Team (ADT), an advocacy group founded in 2016. Forming a staunch resistance to oppressive legislation, they provide medical consultancy and assistance to tens of thousands of women who can no longer access abortion services legally. The hotline never stops ringing. Abandoned by the healthcare system, women from all over Poland reach out to the ADT volunteers, who guide them through these moments of uncertainty and confusion with extraordinary care. In addition to abortion pills and emergency contraceptives, the group also provides logistics support to those who need to travel to other countries for critical procedures. Every day comes not only with this flood of cries for help, but also an onslaught of threats and abuse from anti-abortion supporters. In one harrowing scene, the activists confront a group of policemen about a moving bus plastered with the faces of ADT associates, branding them as so-called murderers. The law, however, is not on their side. Justyna, one of their core members, was put on trial and convicted for distributing abortion pills. Shot in tight closeup, Domagalska's documentary brilliantly conveys the unseen psychological toll of this social work. At the same time, the film overflows with the joy of activism. In their playful video campaigns, ADT members deliberately counter the stigmas surrounding abortion with spirited humour. In one scene that parodies Baywatch, the activists, dressed in all red, break into laughter as they sprint down a sandy beach. They, too, are on a mission to save lives, one phone call at a time. Abortion Dream Team is on Viaplay from 21 April.
South China Morning Post
08-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Polish activists open abortion centre in front of parliament
Polish abortion rights activists opened a centre across from the parliament building in Warsaw on Saturday where women can go to have abortions with pills, either alone or with other women. Advertisement Opening the centre on International Women's Day across from the legislature was a symbolic challenge to authorities in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation, which has one of Europe's most restrictive abortion laws. A small but loud group of protesters demonstrated outside the 'Abotak' centre as activists gathered inside for its inauguration. They blasted loud sounds of babies' cries and held huge, gruesome posters. 'We will never allow people to kill Polish children on demand' said one of the anti-abortion protesters, Marek Krawczyk, as he held a rosary high. 'We warn all Polish politicians not to introduce disgraceful decisions.' The abortion rights activists with Abortion Dream Team had private security guards standing at the door, while police also formed a barrier between protesters and the centre. Advertisement 'We came here to claim the space and to remind you in your face that women have abortions in Poland and we are not going to wait for your empty promises,' one of the activists, Kinga Jelińska said, a message directed at the country's politicians. She wore a mint green sweatshirt with the words 'abortion is normal.' Jelińska said it was the first stationary abortion centre in Poland, but that centres like it have been founded in Latin American countries with restrictive laws like Mexico and Argentina.
The Independent
08-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Activists open abortion center in front of Polish parliament on Women's Day
Polish abortion rights activists opened a center across from the parliament building in Warsaw on Saturday where women can go to have abortions with pills, either alone or with other women. Opening the center on International Women's Day across from the legislature was a symbolic challenge to authorities in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation, which has one of Europe 's most restrictive abortion laws. A small but loud group of protesters demonstrated outside the 'Abotak' center as activists gathered inside for its inauguration. They blasted loud sounds of babies' cries and held huge, gruesome posters. 'We will never allow people to kill Polish children on demand' said one of the anti-abortion protesters, Marek Krawczyk, as he held a rosary high. 'We warn all Polish politicians not to introduce disgraceful decisions.' The abortion rights activists with Abortion Dream Team had private security guards standing at the door, while police also formed a barrier between protesters and the center. 'We came here to claim the space and to remind you in your face that women have abortions in Poland and we are not going to wait for your empty promises,' one of the activists, Kinga Jelińska said, a message directed at the country's politicians. She wore a mint green sweatshirt with the words 'abortion is normal.' Jelińska said it was the first stationary abortion center in Poland, but that centers like it have been founded in Latin American countries with restrictive laws like Mexico and Argentina. She and her colleagues said that it will be a safe place for women who prefer not to have abortions alone in their bathrooms at home. Women can show up for advice, or to have abortions together, or in a space alone. Asked if the center would provide the pills themselves, Jelińska said that was between the activists and the women who need abortions. One of the activists who launched the center is Justyna Wydrzyńska, who was found guilty by a court in 2023 of abetting an abortion. That ruling was recently annulled and a retrial was ordered. The organization has been trying to destigmatize abortion in a society where they say abortions are common, most carried out by women at home with pills, but abortion remains a taboo topic. They have also been pushing for a change in the law, but without success. The country's centrist prime minister, Donald Tusk, came to power in an election in 2023 in which he vowed to liberalize the country's abortion law. But the coalition he leads spans a broad ideological divide, with lawmakers on the left who want to legalize abortion and conservatives strongly opposed. Last year he acknowledged that he lacks the backing in parliamen t to change the law. Allowing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy had been one of his campaign promises. Under the current law, abortion is only allowed in cases of rape or incest or if the woman's life or health is at risk. A new restriction took effect under the previous conservative government removing a right to abortion in the case of fetal deformities. That sparked massive street protests. In practice, activists say, many women have abortions on their own with pills obtained from abroad.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Activists open abortion center in front of Polish parliament on Women's Day
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish abortion rights activists opened a center across from the parliament building in Warsaw on Saturday where women can go to have abortions with pills, either alone or with other women. Opening the center on International Women's Day across from the legislature was a symbolic challenge to authorities in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation, which has one of Europe's most restrictive laws. A small but loud group of protesters stood outside the center as activists gathered inside for its inauguration. The activists had private security guards, while police also separated the protesters from those inside. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Activists with the group Abortion Dream Team say it is the first stationary abortion center in Poland. It is meant to offer support to women who prefer not to have abortions alone in their bathrooms at home. They also say they want to put pressure on politicians and to destigmatize abortion in a society where they say one in four women have had the procedure but it remains a taboo topic. The country's centrist prime minister, Donald Tusk, came to power in an election in 2023 in which he vowed to liberalize the country's abortion law. But the coalition he leads spans a broad ideological divide, with lawmakers on the left who want to legalize abortion and conservatives strongly opposed. Last year he acknowledged that he lacks the backing in parliament to change the law. Allowing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy had been one of his campaign promises.
Associated Press
08-03-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Activists open abortion center in front of Polish parliament on Women's Day
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish abortion rights activists opened a center across from the parliament building in Warsaw on Saturday where women can go to have abortions with pills, either alone or with other women. Opening the center on International Women's Day across from the legislature was a symbolic challenge to authorities in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation, which has one of Europe's most restrictive laws. A small but loud group of protesters stood outside the center as activists gathered inside for its inauguration. The activists had private security guards, while police also separated the protesters from those inside. Activists with the group Abortion Dream Team say it is the first stationary abortion center in Poland. It is meant to offer support to women who prefer not to have abortions alone in their bathrooms at home. They also say they want to put pressure on politicians and to destigmatize abortion in a society where they say one in four women have had the procedure but it remains a taboo topic. The country's centrist prime minister, Donald Tusk, came to power in an election in 2023 in which he vowed to liberalize the country's abortion law. But the coalition he leads spans a broad ideological divide, with lawmakers on the left who want to legalize abortion and conservatives strongly opposed. Last year he acknowledged that he lacks the backing in parliament to change the law. Allowing abortion up to the 12th week of pregnancy had been one of his campaign promises.
