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Reproductive Injustice in Poland: Feminist and Human Rights Perspectives on Poland’s Abortion Law

Cholewinska, Oliwia Faustyna LU (2025) UTVK03 20251
Sociology
Abstract
This thesis examines how Poland’s abortion law affects access to pregnancy termination, using feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the concept of secondary violence. Although abortion is legally allowed in limited situations, the study shows that in practice, access is often blocked by institutional barriers and doctors’ refusal to act. The research analyses documented cases in which abortions were denied despite meeting legal criteria, with some resulting in preventable deaths. Drawing on feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the idea of maternal responsibility, the thesis shows how pregnant individuals are denied autonomy, moral agency, and the real freedom to make decisions about their bodies and lives. It argues that... (More)
This thesis examines how Poland’s abortion law affects access to pregnancy termination, using feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the concept of secondary violence. Although abortion is legally allowed in limited situations, the study shows that in practice, access is often blocked by institutional barriers and doctors’ refusal to act. The research analyses documented cases in which abortions were denied despite meeting legal criteria, with some resulting in preventable deaths. Drawing on feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the idea of maternal responsibility, the thesis shows how pregnant individuals are denied autonomy, moral agency, and the real freedom to make decisions about their bodies and lives. It argues that Poland’s abortion law, and how it is applied, violates key rights to health, dignity, and life, and does not align with feminist values or international human rights standards. In practice, restrictive laws combined with medical inaction create serious risks, undermining reproductive justice and patient safety. The thesis concludes by calling for legal reform and changes to the conscience clause to better protect the rights and well-being of pregnant women. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Cholewinska, Oliwia Faustyna LU
supervisor
organization
course
UTVK03 20251
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Abortion, Pregnancy Termination, Poland, Abortion Ban, Reproductive Justice, Maternal Mortality, Abortion Denial, Human Rights
language
English
id
9201892
date added to LUP
2025-06-18 17:29:07
date last changed
2025-06-18 17:29:07
@misc{9201892,
  abstract     = {{This thesis examines how Poland’s abortion law affects access to pregnancy termination, using feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the concept of secondary violence. Although abortion is legally allowed in limited situations, the study shows that in practice, access is often blocked by institutional barriers and doctors’ refusal to act. The research analyses documented cases in which abortions were denied despite meeting legal criteria, with some resulting in preventable deaths. Drawing on feminist ethics, human rights framework, and the idea of maternal responsibility, the thesis shows how pregnant individuals are denied autonomy, moral agency, and the real freedom to make decisions about their bodies and lives. It argues that Poland’s abortion law, and how it is applied, violates key rights to health, dignity, and life, and does not align with feminist values or international human rights standards. In practice, restrictive laws combined with medical inaction create serious risks, undermining reproductive justice and patient safety. The thesis concludes by calling for legal reform and changes to the conscience clause to better protect the rights and well-being of pregnant women.}},
  author       = {{Cholewinska, Oliwia Faustyna}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Reproductive Injustice in Poland: Feminist and Human Rights Perspectives on Poland’s Abortion Law}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}