Patrycja Hala sacan invisible women in solidairty presentation
1. Invisible Women in Solidarity Movement
Patrycja Hala Saçan, PhD Student
Izmir University of Economics, Turkey
2. Presentation Outline
• Research question: why women’s contribution to the struggle for free Poland was
not reflected in the power share and equal rights in post- 1989 period?
• I part: women’s role in Solidarity movement during communist era
• II part: consequences of transition to market economy, aversion to feminism,
restoration of patriarchal structure and the role of the Church
3. Solidarity (NSSZ Solidarność)
• Well- known for its struggle against communist regime
• Civil activism
• Struggle for economic and social benefits for workers and
fundamental liberties
• Achievements of the movement attributed to men’s heroismGdańsk 1980
4. Women in Solidarity
• Leadership dominated by men
• Women constituted 45 per cent of members
• Women’s involvement in strikes
Łódź1971
Gdańsk 1980
• Solidarity Press Agency AS
Łódź 1971
5. Women as “Invisible Organizers” of Underground
Solidarity
• December 13, 1981 martial law: male leaders arrested
• Women were not the usual suspects
• Women in nonviolent resistance
underground activities, information distribution, cooperation with unions, publication,
organization of protection for men, meetings, money transfer, connections with western press
6. Women as “Invisible Organizers” of Underground
Solidarity
• Around two hundreds female volunteers (between 14-80 years old)
• Typists, printers, couriers, distributors
• Weekly Newspaper Tygodnik Mazowsze
• No acknowledgement to women’s contribution neither in Poland nor
abroad
• No revolutionary role “We did what was necessary”
Helena Łuczywo
7. The Image of Women
• “The weak” women, men “the usual suspect”
• Men fighting and being arrested, women “passing sandwiches” and waiting
for their husbands
• Supporting role “Women, do not disturb us. We are fighting for Poland”
• Lack of women in collective memory
• Anna Walentynowicz and “fifteen minutes of fame”
Anna Walentynowicz
8. “Democracy in Poland is of Masculine Gender”
• 1989 Round Table Negotiations- Grażyna Staniszewska only
woman on Solidarity side; 4 women in sub- tables
• Women excluded from share of political functions, honours
• Emphasis on rights but not women’s rights
• Low women’s representation in parliament and ministries
• Women did not demand recognition
Grażyna Staniszewska
Round Table
9. Economic Deprivation
• Women as “the losers” of transformation
• High unemployment
• Poverty- level welfare benefits
• Training programs targeting men
• Growing domestic violence
• Women remained in private sphere
10. No to Feminism
• Feminism identified with communism
• Feminism “forced emancipation”, “oppressive egalitarianism”
• Restoration of patriarchal structure
• Imposing traditional roles on women
• Promotion of woman’s image as child bearer, sacrificing herself for the family
• Lack of language that could articulate the problem of gender injustice
• Women did not want to deal with public sphere, “politics dirty business”
11. Abortion during communist era
• 1956 abortion law; in force until the beginning of 1990s
• Based on socio- economic needs rather than self- determination
• Emancipation from above
• Lack of struggle for rights
• Women passive recipients of the law
12. The Impact of the Catholic Church on the
Abortion Law
• Abortion as a sin, moral deed
• Bond between Solidarity and the Church
• De-legalization of reproductive rights by Solidarity’s men
• Objection from Solidarity’s women
• Church participating in debates on private matters
• Women’s voice and free speech suppressed
• “A gift” to Pope
13. Abortion Law Timeline
• 1989, meeting of Lech Wałęsa and Church:
abortion issue
• 1990 Solidarity Second Congress
• 1991 Restrictive abortion law draft
• 1991 Code of Medical Ethics
• 1992 More moderate abortion law draft
• 1992 Call for Referendum (“unnecessary divisive
and destabilizing”)
• 1993 Abortion law passed by parliament
• 1994 More liberal draft vetoed by Lech Walesa
• 1996 Attempt to liberalize the law
• 1997 Constitutional Court: “human life as
constitutional value”
14. 1993 Abortion Law
A termination of pregnancy may be performed by a doctor, when:
1. The pregnancy poses a threat to the life or health of the pregnant woman
2. Prenatal examinations or other medical conditions indicate that there is a high probability of a
severe and irreversible fatal defect or incurable illness that threatens the foetus' life
3. There are reasons to suspect that the pregnancy is a result of an unlawful act (rape or incest)
15. Conclusions
• Women actively involved in struggle against communism
• Lack of recognition
• Democracy of masculine gender
• Impact on women’s rights
1. Economic deprivation
2. Aversion to feminism and restoration of patriarchal structure and traditional values
3. The role of the Church
• Lack of women’s movement