As a result of the country’s right-wing ruling political party (PiS) combined with the power of the Catholic Church, abortion of any kind is now completely illegal in Poland, except for extreme cases such as rape or if the mother’s life is at risk.
Medical abortions - performed via pills - offer some hope to women in situations where they do not have access, support or financial means to seek an in-clinic option abroad. In response, international organizations were established to provide Polish women with the medication and resources needed to do an abortion on their own. Such services have seen a 65% increase in use since the implementation of the anti-abortion laws.
CZWARTEK is a portrait of motherhood and all its complexities, exploring the conflicts and complications women face both in Poland and around the world.