Fears for rape victims after Poles ban pill

A LEADING human-rights organisation has warned that a new law in Poland limiting access to emergency contraception will have a “catastrophic impact on rape survivors”.

The law, which takes effect next month, ends prescription-free access to the morning-after pill. Andrzej Duda, the Polish president, consented to the law late on Friday despite the opposition of human-rights groups and polls showing most people oppose it.

“We consider it as another blow to women’s rights, and will affect teenagers and those in remote rural areas and will have a particularly catastrophic impact on rape survivors,” said Draginja Nadazdin, of Amnesty International in Poland.

Previously, any female aged 15 or over could buy the morning-after pill over the counter but now people will have to a see a doctor first.

Critics say this could take too long and lead to unwanted pregnancies, particularly in the case of rape, because the pill has to be taken as soon as possible. Quick access to a doctor may be harder in rural areas and young girls may be uncomfortable about seeing one.

To some Poles, the law is yet another attempt by the government to curry favour with the Roman Catholic Church.

Konstanty Radziwill, the health minister, has justified the changes by arguing that hormonal means of contraception were being abused and had harmful health effects.