‘Is the Revolution Female?’ Abortion, Nationalism and Democracy. An Ethnography of the Female Political Subject in Poland (2020-2023)
iacchos | Louvain-la-Neuve
Julia LAUREAU
will publicly defend her dissertation
‘Is the Revolution Female?’ Abortion, Nationalism and Democracy. An Ethnography of the Female Political Subject in Poland (2020-2023)
for the degree of Doctor of Political and Social Sciences
on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, at 16:30
au LECL93
Abstract
At the heart of Poland's political polarisation, the right to abortion has become a battleground for ideological clashes concerning gender relations and the definition of democracy, both in liberal and nationalist senses. Drawing on ethnographic research into pro- and anti-abortion movements, and in a context of increasing female participation in socio-political affairs, this thesis explores the role of women in politics and the interplay between patriarchy and democracy in contemporary Poland. At the intersection of political anthropology and gender studies, it first explores the various levels of conflict surrounding the issue of abortion, including medical, legal and moral aspects, and their reflection of the condition of Polish women. It then examines feminist and 'pro-life' activism, the power dynamics at play, and their links to democratic and nationalist struggles. Focusing on the activism of women on both 'sides' enables an analysis of their respective strategies, leadership, and agency within a system of male domination. Underlying this is the process that led, from the 2020 protests to the 2023 parliamentary elections, to the overthrow of the PiS (Law and Justice) government. Despite their decisive role in this process, Polish feminists face structural constraints in achieving their demands due to the prevalence of Catholicism and patriarchal political culture. Thus, the thesis contextualises the 'democratic renewal' of 2023 within the broader historical framework of the post-1989 period, emphasising the continuity of bargaining and the marginalisation of women's rights throughout the country's history.
Members of the Jury
Prof. Olivier SERVAIS (UCLouvain), co-promotor
Prof. Julie Hermesse (UCLouvain), co-promotor et Secretary of the jury
Prof. Jacinthe MAZZOCCHETTI (UCLouvain), Chair of the jury
Prof. Paul ZAWADZKI (EPHE / Paris 1), Support committee
Dr. Elisa BELLÈ (Université de Glasgow), External evaluator
Prof. Marta BUCHOLC (Université de Varsovie), External evaluator
Prof. Camille FROIDEVAUX-METTERIE (Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne), External evaluator
Évènement associé
