Enough Silence: Demand Full Equality Across the EU
For over a decade, the EU Anti-Discrimination Directive—created to protect people from unfair treatment in education, healthcare, housing, and social services—has been blocked by a small number of EU member states. Now, the European Commission is preparing to scrap it entirely. This would be a major setback for human rights across Europe. Why this matters: […]
ASTRA Network at CSW69: Amplifying Feminist Voices from Central and Eastern Europe
March 2025 | New York City The ASTRA Network proudly took part in the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), bringing the voices and perspectives of feminist activists from Central and Eastern Europe to the global stage. Amid growing authoritarianism and rising threats to gender equality, our delegation worked tirelessly to spotlight the […]
Advancing Reproductive Rights in Central and Eastern Europe: Key Updates from ASTRA
The latest edition of the ASTRA Bulletin highlights the ongoing challenges and advancements in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) across Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. As restrictive policies and anti-gender movements gain momentum, activists and organizations continue to resist and advocate for the protection of fundamental rights. This update provides an […]
Trump’s Second Term: A Global Crisis for Reproductive Rights
Donald Trump has secured a second term, setting the stage for a dramatic rollback of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the United States and beyond. His administration’s first term demonstrated a clear agenda: dismantling reproductive freedoms, restricting access to abortion, and cutting funding for international health programs. Now, with an emboldened conservative […]
Urgent Call to Reinstate Telemedicine Medical Abortion in Moldova
We Stand Against the Ban on Telemedicine Abortion – A Dangerous Setback for Women’s Health and Rights We, the undersigned organizations and advocates for reproductive health and rights, strongly condemn the decision of Moldova’s Minister of Health, Ala Nemerenco, to ban telemedicine medical abortion services. This harmful and unjustified restriction endangers women’s health, violates international […]
European Civil Society’s Alert: Oppression Without Borders: Serbian Regime Harasses EU, Regional and Serbian Civic Activists!
We are alarmed by the detention and unjust deportation of civic activists from Croatia, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, and North Macedonia, who were participating in the Erste Stiftung NGO Academy in Belgrade. These individuals were detained overnight, interrogated without evidence, labeled as “national security threats,” and banned from entering Serbia for a year. This follows a […]
Women in Kazakhstan: A Fight on Two Fronts
In Kazakhstan, women are fighting battles both at home and within the system meant to protect them. Domestic violence is rampant, yet the law fails to recognize it as a distinct crime. Many victims are left with nowhere to turn—shelters are scarce, underfunded, and often inaccessible. Reporting abuse rarely leads to justice; instead, women face […]
Advancing Reproductive Health and Gender Equality: The ASTRA Network’s Latest Efforts
The latest edition of the ASTRA Bulletin underscores the tireless work of organizations across Central and Eastern Europe advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Here’s an overview of the major highlights and initiatives from the publication. Burning Issue: Poland’s Restrictive Abortion Laws Despite promises for reform, Poland’s restrictive abortion laws remain a […]
Maternal Health Across Borders: Lessons from Belarus and Azerbaijan’s Diverging Approaches
Researched by Katelynn Takács Maternal health outcomes vary greatly among countries, shaped by governmental policies, healthcare access, and societal norms. A closer look at Belarus and Azerbaijan, two former Soviet countries, reveals striking differences in maternal mortality rates and the factors that influence them. This comparison offers critical insights for improving maternal health in regions […]
Reproductive justice for all #AbortionSolidarity
In the past few years, there have been efforts to improve abortion law and policy and access to services, including in Ireland, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland and services, including in Ireland, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Poland and Germany. In other parts of the world, there has been progress, e.g. more Australian and Mexican […]
