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Five years after Poland’s de facto abortion ban, activists have helped thousands – but now face urgent funding crisis

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“Without us, there will be no safe abortion in Poland”

  • Despite Poland’s extreme abortion restrictions, Abortion Without Borders supports thousands of people to access an abortion every year
  • On average 30 people call the AWB helpline every day for help accessing an abortion, and the network raises its own funds despite Poland’s hostile political climate

Five years ago, Poland’s ‘Constitutional Tribunal’ ruling effectively removed abortion access by voting to invalidate the right to access abortion on the grounds of severe or fatal foetal anomaly. Since then, the activist network Abortion Without Borders (AWB) has worked to support people to terminate their pregnancies, regardless of the reason or stage of pregnancy.

Abortion Without Borders has been working together since December 2019. In these 6 years, AWB has helped 213,000 people from Poland access safe abortion and has spent nearly PLN 7 million (€1,635,438) to cover the cost.

Every day, an average of 30 people call the Abortion Without Borders hotline (+48 22 29 22 597) seeking information about safe abortion. The vast majority of these abortions are self-managed using pills in the first trimester of pregnancy. Every day, roughly 124 people terminate their pregnancies with pills from Women Help Women or other suppliers. About 6 people travel each day to access an abortion – to the Czech Republic (with the help of Ciocia Czesia), to Germany (with the help of Ciocia Basia), to Austria (with the help of Ciocia Wienia), or to the Netherlands, England, France, Belgium, Spain or Mexico (with the help of Abortion Network Amsterdam, Abortion Support Network or Supporting Abortions for Everyone – SAFE).

In 2025 so far:

  • 46,377 people from Poland contacted Abortion Without Borders
  • 38,508 people had abortions with the support of Abortion Without Borders
  • 901,492.34 PLN / €212,451.09 has been provided for abortion pills, procedures in foreign clinics, travel and other necessary costs of getting an abortion
  • 924 abortions after 12 weeks
  • 10 abortions after 24 weeks

Justyna Wydrzyńska Kobiety w Sieci said:

“Across Poland, only 0.3% of abortions are performed in public hospitals. The remaining 99.7% only happen due to the efforts of activist groups and organizations, private donors, and help from other countries. Politicians are saving money at the expense of the rights and lives of Polish women, but also Ukrainian women and migrants from other countries who live in Poland, and we are the ones who help them with abortions.

“During our six years of existence and activity, we have survived a pandemic, we have survived the Constitutional Tribunal’s ruling, which is now five years old, we have survived my criminal trial for assisting in abortions, and we are operating in the shadow of war across the eastern border. It has never been as difficult as it is now.”

Natalia Broniarczyk, Abortion Dream Team said:

“Abortion costs a lot. Over the past year, Abortion Without Borders has spent almost PLN 1 million, and over the past six years, the amount has reached almost PLN 7 million. Fundraising is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the rise of far-right political forces across Europe and the US. Between organizing procedures, answering phones, and assisting people from Poland with medical abortions, we also have to raise funds to survive and to continue to provide abortions. You can support us through the website abortion.eu. Without us, there will be no safe abortion in Poland.”

Kinga Jelińska, Women Help Women said:

“Thanks to abortion pills, which are inexpensive and incredibly safe, the cost to have an abortion has fortunately decreased, but still about 35% of people living in Poland who contact the Women Help Women foundation cannot afford to donate the €70 suggested amount. This means our foundation must lower the fee or waive it entirely, because we know that abortion pills are the only chance for a safe abortion in Poland. Unlike Polish politicians and Polish doctors, we do not turn our backs on these people.”

Mara Clarke, Supporting Abortions for Everyone (SAFE) and Abortion Network Amsterdam said:

“Every day, 130 people from Poland have abortions with Abortion Without Borders. Most of these people need financial support to cover the costs of abortion, especially in clinics. As the cost of living crisis continues, we find more people are calling us, and each person needs more financial support – often more than €1000 for each caller. Abortion is expensive, and money should be part of the abortion debate. It is much more important than ideological disputes.”

Camille Kumar, Managing Director at Abortion Support Network said:

“Travelling for a second trimester abortion in a clinic overseas is expensive, logistically difficult, and stressful. This essential healthcare should be provided in Poland, but instead the government washes its hands of it and it is down to activists and NGOs to pick up the pieces. Our network supports people with dedication and care, but no formal funding. We are urgently seeking donations to keep this work going.”