The limits of compromise: the range of perspectives on women's reproductive rights in Poland

Abstract

Objectives: A discourse analysis was carried out to identify how women's reproductive rights and needs are reflected in pro-life and pro-choice public debate in Poland. Methods: The research procedure was based on the need to answer the question: how do pro-life and pro-choice discourses define women's reproductive rights in Poland (including the right to abortion)? Discourse analysis was applied to answer this question. The analysis covered materials published in rightist-conservative and leftist-feminist social-political portals and in popular media during the period 2009–2014, when the so-called ‘abortion compromise’ was in force, and the period 2016–2017, when a proposal for an absolute ban on abortion caused women to protest throughout Poland. Results: Our research showed that construction of the analysed discourses is of a processual nature. Owing to social changes, both discourses have become strongly radicalised. The rightist-conservative discourse is emotional and criticising, restricting women's rights to the benefit of the rights of the fetus. The leftist-feminist view is oriented towards emphasising freedom of choice and observing women's rights. Conclusion: The pro-life movement’s discourse may be defined as promoting the restriction of women’s reproductive rights, while leftist-feminist discourse may be seen as promoting women’s reproductive rights.