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