Reproductive care access in CEE varies: legal gaps, uneven healthcare, and vital civil society support persist despite state efforts.
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The article examines reproductive care access across Central and Eastern Europe, highlighting a pattern where seemingly modern legal frameworks coexist with uneven healthcare systems, necessitating vital support from civil society groups. Issues vary by country: Poland has among the strictest abortion laws, leading activists to face prosecution for providing pills. Hungary’s system is described as formally universal but practically exclusionary, particularly for Roma and low-income women, with recent measures adding hurdles for abortion access. Moldova has liberal laws but faces practical gaps due to insufficient training among healthcare providers. In contrast, Ukraine has maintained reproductive care services through mobile teams despite the ongoing war, though low birth rates and trauma affect family planning discussions. Across the region, marginalized groups like Roma women consistently face systemic exclusion and poorer health outcomes. Civil society organizations are crucial for maintaining care but operate in an increasingly constrained environment, relying on local efforts and international aid.
