Yesterday was International Women’s Day, also known as the day when “When Is International Men’s Day?” is most googled. Because of course it is.
We could have sent this newsletter yesterday. But around here, every day is a day of international collaboration to help people across Europe get abortions, which we consider to be pretty darn feminist. Every day is a day of living S.A.F.E.’s values of intersectionality, human rights and bodily autonomy.
Still, we hope you spent yesterday celebrating the inspirational women in your life, including and especially if one of those women is yourself. Our co-founders certainly did. Each spent time on helplines providing information, support, and financial assistance to people across Europe trying to access safe abortions.
We also received a €50 donation from a new supporter, with this note:
“Happy International Women’s Day. I am thankful for all the work you do, for the women in my life and the care women show to each other, even in dark times. We will always have each other.”
To some people, €50 might not seem like much. To us, every donation is a real gift. And words like these are priceless.
Anonymous donor, we see you, we thank you, and we’re proud to stand with you.
E-mail: mara@supportingabortions.eu
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ABOTAK – Poland’s first abortion clinic
One year ago, on the 8th of March, the Abortion Dream Team opened ABOTAK – Poland’s first abortion clinic. During that first year:
- 98 women had a safe abortion at ABOTAK. Surrounded by empathy, in a friendly atmosphere, without fear; with a hot water bottle, a cup of tea and a plate of sweet and salty snacks.
- We provided over 500 consultations, talking to people who came to us for emotional support, to check if they’re pregnant, needing a Plan B pill or information about abortion – how to get pills and how to use them, what to expect during the abortion and right after.
At ABOTAK we mostly meet:
- Young women who live in dorms or with their parents and don’t want other people to learn about their abortions.
- Women who don’t feel safe enough to have an abortion in their own home.
- Persons experiencing homelessness.
- Migrants from Columbia, Venezuela, Korea, Ukraine, Belarus, Slovenia, India, Azerbaijan, Peru, Senegal and Mexico.
What do the consultations in Abotak look like?
- Marta came to ABOTAK from the other side of the country. Before she finished telling her story she ate a bar of chocolate and felt better.
- Kasia came to us nine weeks pregnant and in tears. A woman who just had an abortion in Abotak told her about her experience and comforted her.
- Ola came to ABOTAK because she was too scared to take a pregnancy test on her own. We did it together, and when it came back negative she squealed with joy.
What do we hear from women who had an abortion at ABOTAK?
- I thought it’d be worse.
- It was very nice, I’ll recommend you!
- I’m so happy it’s done.
- I immediately felt lighter!
- I had a lot of fun with you.
- Coffee stopped stinking!
- Thank you.
The network created by Abortion Dream Team, ABOTAK — Abortion Without Borders, Women on the Net and Women Help Women, is the only real abortion provider in Poland. Every day, these organizations support 130 people in their abortions by providing information and pills, organizing visits in hospitals and clinics abroad, and paying for those abortions.
Contact info:
-Natalia Broniarczyk, Aborcyjny Dream Team: +48 503 098 993
-Justyna Wydrzyńska, Kobiety w Sieci: +48 725 892 134, justyna@maszwybor.net