The Public Hearing on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights organized by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality of the European Parliament was chaired by conservative MEP from Slovakia Anna Zaborska. The Hearing was proposed by the Polish MEP from Socialist Group of the EP – Lidia Geringer d’Oedenberg. Among five panelists, Wanda Nowicka from ASTRA spoke on Recent Trends regarding Sexual and Reproductive Rights in Central and Eastern Europe with Special Focus on Poland. She identified a number of negative developments which soon might lead to diminishing access to sexual and reproductive rights. Douglas A. Sylva from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute in his presentation on SRHR presented critical and unsubstantiated view regarding international standards on SRHR. The representative of the European Commission (EC) in his statement from the floor confirmed all the commitments of the EC to internationally accepted SRHR, including the Cairo Programme of Action and its follow-up documents. The discussion following the panel was dominated by the voices of MEP’s from new members’ states, particularly from Poland and Slovakia, many of which presented conservative views and anti-choice position. However, many MEPs that support SRHR were also present and made strong arguments, based on women and adolescent realities, supporting SRHR.
The Hearing gathered a huge audience some of which were sitting on the floor and proved that the issue is very relevant for Europe and its institutions.
The Hearing was followed by the presentation of the documentary produced by ASTRA “Breaking the Silence” on SRHR in CEE.
Speakers from the Hearing:
Wanda Nowicka
Statement made by the Commission:
Public Hearing on SRHR
Statements from ASTRA members:
Christina Zampas
Ia Verulashvili
Jivka Marinova
Esmeralda Kuliesyte
Evgenia Koulikova
Sanja Cesar
Susanna Vardanyan
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Public Hearing in European Parliament
