Introduction

For Adriana Lamačková, progress rarely happens in dramatic leaps. More often, it is the result of long-term commitment and collaborative effort over many years. “I am grounded in the belief that every step, whether it is a legal judgment, a shift in public discourse, or a moment of solidarity, builds momentum toward justice,” she says.

Adriana has spent her career working alongside colleagues and partners across Europe to advance reproductive rights. Originally from Slovakia and now based in Germany, she is the Associate Director for National Legal Strategies in the Center for Reproductive Rights Europe Programme, where she works closely with local organisations to reform laws and policies at the national level. She joined the Center in 2010, after working at Freedom of Choice – an NGO advocating for reproductive rights in Slovakia, the European Roma Rights Centre, and the Slovak government’s human rights and minorities department.

Through her early work, she encountered grave human rights violations, such as the forced sterilisation of Roma women, which deepened her commitment to reproductive rights and justice. “Reproductive autonomy lies at the heart of personal dignity and freedom,” Adriana explains. “Yet those most marginalised often endure the most egregious violations.”

Challenges & partnerships

Working in Poland: legal challenges and partnerships

When Adriana joined the Center, Poland already had some of Europe’s most restrictive abortion laws. Abortion was permitted only in limited circumstances: when the woman’s health or life was at risk, when a pregnancy resulted from sexual assault, or in situations of severe or fatal foetal impairment. Even for women in these circumstances, abortion often remained out of reach because of a narrow interpretation of the law and other barriers.  In 2021, the law became more restrictive, resulting in a near-total ban on access to abortion care in practice.  

Adriana and her colleagues have partnered with Polish civil society organisations for more than two decades to challenge these laws and push for legal reforms that align with international human rights and public health standards.

This work has included third-party interventions in cases before the European Court of Human Rights and engagement with UN human rights bodies. Together, these efforts have secured rulings that recognise Poland’s abortion restrictions as violations of fundamental rights.

One of the team’s latest collective efforts was an inquiry into Poland’s abortion laws before the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a key UN body that monitors women’s rights violations. Following submissions by the Center and our partner organisations FEDERA (Foundation for Women and Family Planning) and the Karat Coalition, CEDAW launched a three-year inquiry into the country’s abortion laws. Its findings, released in August 2024, concluded that Poland’s criminalisation and restriction of abortion cause grave and systematic human rights violations. CEDAW issued strong recommendations to the Polish government, urging it to fully decriminalise and legalise abortion and take other measures to ensure access to this essential care in practice.

For Adriana and her team, this was a landmark moment. “Seeing years of effort, collaboration, and persistence culminate in this acknowledgement of the injustice was deeply affirming,” she says. “It was an incredible validation of our collective effort and a reminder of the power of international law to name injustice and push for accountability, and it brought both relief and renewed energy to keep pushing forward.” 

Adriana and the Center continue to work alongside local activists and organisations to bring Poland’s laws and policies in line with international human rights law and public health standards. “Our work supports long-term legal and social change,” she says. “Our partners in Poland are working tirelessly towards this change, often facing immense obstacles and setbacks. It is a privilege to support their efforts, leveraging international legal tools to challenge a deeply unjust system.”

Slow but steady progress

Slow but steady progress

While access to abortion in Poland remains extremely limited, Adriana points to signs of progress over the years: growing public awareness, increased international scrutiny and greater mobilisation within civil society. These shifts, she says, help keep reproductive rights firmly on the political agenda. “We know that the law can and must change, and we are committed to seeing that through.”

“What keeps me inspired is the unwavering determination of the people most affected by these restrictive laws, especially the women, activists, and partner organisations on the front lines who continue to fight for justice despite enormous obstacles. Their resilience, creativity, and courage are a constant reminder that change is possible, even when it is slow or met with resistance.”

Reflecting on her experience, Adriana emphasises that change often takes time and requires persistence. She urges aspiring advocates to stay grounded in the knowledge of those most affected, to listen deeply, and to focus on collaboration rather than isolation. For her, sustainable activism also means caring for oneself and others, building community, and remembering that setbacks are not signs of failure but part of the path toward lasting change.

For Adriana, the work is rooted in the broader movement for reproductive rights and justice across Europe. “Knowing our work can contribute to this movement, and that it may one day lead to lasting change, is what keeps me going.”