The Polish state systematically avoids responsibility for women’s health and lives, leaving this burden on the shoulders of private donors and organizations such as Aborcja Bez Granic. The report shows that despite restrictive laws, people in Poland have access to safe abortion—at home or abroad—thanks to the support of feminist networks and groups. In the face of financial and social challenges, ABG remains a refuge for thousands of people every year.

The most common method of abortion in Poland is abortion pills, which account for 99% of all abortions in Poland. Every day, 130 people use pills with support from Aborcja Bez Granic (ABG).

Safe abortion kits can be ordered from Women Help Women (womenhelp.org). The process is discreet, and the package arrives within 10 days. Abortion pills contain mifepristone and misoprostol, although in Poland only misoprostol is available by prescription.

Every day, ABG:

  • Provides detailed dosage instructions.
  • Answers questions by phone, email and social media

Risks associated with unreliable sources: not all abortion pills are ordered from safe sources. Fraudsters and dealers profit from restrictive laws: they sell medicines at inflated prices or send placebos while pretending to operate as feminist support organizations.

By choosing safe services such as WHW, people avoid risks, including legal problems if a dealer is arrested by the police (having an abortion is not a crime in Poland).

In 2024, 787 abortions were performed in Polish hospitals (as of October). This is less than 0.5% of all abortions in Poland. Polish hospitals continue to use outdated and traumatizing methods: curettage (not recommended by the WHO), induction of miscarriage lasting even more than a day, and, in extreme cases, a cesarean section. People with advanced pregnancies are often surprised by the procedure and the low level of care.

Polish doctors have difficulty providing assistance even when the law permits it, due to a lack of experience and fears of legal consequences.

Abortion Abroad

Every day, 7 people travel abroad with the help of the Aborcja Bez Granic network to have an abortion in conditions that ensure dignity and minimize trauma. Popular destinations include:

  • Second trimester: the Netherlands, Belgium, France, England.
  • Third trimester: Belgium, France, England and even Mexico

A symbolic cemetery was established in the Netherlands near a clinic, where people in mourning can say goodbye to their pregnancies. Femke van Straaten, the director of two Dutch clinics, emphasizes:

Polish patients often experience both grief and relief after the procedure.

Funding Abortion

In 2024, the ABG network exceeded spending of 2 million złoty for the first time. An increasing number of people who contact organizations supporting abortion need the donation amount for abortion pills to be waived. Rising living costs mean that many people ask organizations to fully fund the procedure.

The Abortion Debt in Poland

In 2024, organizations belonging to ABG published information about an abortion debt of 50 million złoty, resulting from 18 years of supporting people in Poland who need abortions.

About the Aborcja Bez Granic Network

Aborcja Bez Granic is a network of 9 organizations that work together to ensure access to abortion, regardless of the legal situation. In 2024, Aborcja Bez Granic trained 4 new, independent groups that began helping with abortions in the past year.

We believe in:

  • Help: We provide information and support to people who need abortions.
  • Destigmatization: We fight the stigmatization of abortion, both medication abortion and abortion performed in a clinic abroad.
  • Unconditional support: We offer empathy and understanding without asking questions.
  • Autonomy: We recognize every person’s right to make their own decisions.
  • Solidarity: We want access to abortion to be possible for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

The network includes: Kobiety w sieci, Women Help Women, Ciocia Basia, Ciocia Czesia, Ciocia Wienia, Abortion Network Amsterdam, Abortion Support Network, Supporting Abortions for Everyone – SAFE, Aborcyjny Dream Team.

Full Aborcja Bez Granic Report – The Reality of Abortion in 2024