Low Birth Rate Caused by Young Women's Drinking? ... Backlash Over Poland Ruling Party Leader's Gaffe

Opposition and Civil Society Backlash: "Insult to Polish Women, Ignorant of Reality"
Country with the Strictest Abortion Laws... Large-Scale Protests Held Last Year

Jarosław Kaczy?ski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party. Photo by AP News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Sung-wook] The leader of Poland's ruling party has sparked controversy with a gaffe regarding the country's low birth rate. Critics from opposition parties and civil society have called it an "insult to Polish women."

According to foreign media on the 5th (local time), Jarosław Kaczy?ski, leader of the Law and Justice Party (PiS), said, "To become a mother, one must first mature, so becoming a mother at a very young age is not good," adding, "Women under 25 drinking alcohol is not good for pregnancy issues." His remarks were interpreted as blaming young women's alcohol consumption for Poland's low birth rate.

The opposition parties immediately voiced criticism. MP Kamila Gasiuk-Pihowicz said, "This is an insult to Polish women." MP Aleksandra Gajewska criticized Kaczy?ski, saying, "We need to consider whether he is a ruthless and vile cynic or mentally ill." Among civil society and critics, there were sarcastic remarks that alcohol consumption might actually increase birth rates, calling Kaczy?ski, who has been single his entire life at age 73, "out of touch with reality."

Poland, where the majority of the population is Catholic, is known for having some of the strictest abortion laws. Kaczy?ski, the twin brother of former President Lech Kaczy?ski and considered the real power in Poland, along with his hardline conservative PiS party, has strengthened abortion restrictions. In 2020, Poland's Constitutional Tribunal ruled that abortions due to fetal disabilities or congenital defects violate the constitution. As a result, Polish women tend to avoid pregnancy, even when their lives are at risk during pregnancy, due to reluctance to have abortions. Poland's birth rate was 1.38 in 2020, one of the lowest in Europe.

The damage caused by Poland's strict abortion regulations has led to nationwide protests. In September last year, a 22-week pregnant woman died of sepsis at a hospital in Pszczyna, southern Poland. Civic groups pointed out that doctors' decision to "wait and observe" instead of immediately performing an abortion led to the woman's death.

Since then, protests involving large crowds have taken place in major cities such as Warsaw and Pozna?, as well as in front of PiS party headquarters and Kaczy?ski's residence. Protesters shouted slogans like "My body, my choice" and "Women's struggle," opposing abortion restrictions. At the time, Kaczy?ski sparked controversy by telling the opposition, "Many lives are being lost because of the protests you support," and "If Poland were a country of the rule of law, many of you would already be in prison."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.