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Members of the ASTRA network hail the Langenort, a ship managed by the Dutch organization Women on Waves that provides safe abortion services in international waters to women living in countries with restrictive abortion laws. Women on Waves visited Poland in June 2003.
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The 27 countries of Central and Eastern Europe are home to 627 million people of diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions. Their current political circumstances vary, yet all are former Communist countries in economic transition, and many are currently seeking or awaiting acceptance into the European Union. In an atmosphere of deepening poverty and widening social inequalities, women face the triple burden of high unemployment, job discrimination, and a permissive attitude toward sexual harassment in the workplace. Political participation is low, with women making up only 10 percent of members of parliament across the region.
Laws and policies related to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Central and Eastern Europe remain unsatisfactory, discriminatory, and often restrictive, failing to address the health needs and human rights of women and young people. For example:
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Women lack access to quality, respectful, and affordable reproductive health care, including the freedom to choose the best contraceptive method and the right to safe abortion. Although abortion is currently legal in most countries in Central and Eastern Europe, restrictive policies (introduced in Poland and threatened elsewhere) seriously affect its accessibility and quality.
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HIV/AIDS incidence is rising faster in Central and Eastern Europe than anywhere else in the world, yet adolescents still lack access to full and accurate information on sexuality and reproduction. This information, together with confidential, youth-friendly health services, would allow them to reach adulthood in good health.
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Violence against women is widespread, but it is neither documented nor recognized as a social or public health problem that merits legal protection or attention from policy makers.
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Human trafficking—fueled by opening borders, poverty, and a lack of economic opportunities for women—has increased dramatically. Anti-trafficking measures often fail to recognize women's human rights, restricting their movement and exposing them to further violence at the hands of law enforcement officials.
Linking 23 organizations from 15 different countries, ASTRA is the only network focused on sexual and reproductive health in Central and Eastern Europe. Challenged by a lack of political will to invest in sexual and reproductive health and a growing anti-choice movement with strong ties to both the Roman Catholic Church and U.S.-based groups, ASTRA provides a collective voice to advocate for policies and programs that recognize women's and young people's health needs and human rights. More about ASTRA>>
Links of interest
Testimonies from women seeking safe abortions under Poland's restrictive abortion law (compiled by the Federation for Women and Family Planning, Poland)
ASTRA Report: Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Health in Central and Eastern Europe
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