Poland’s government has approved a plan to pay families who go ahead with the birth of a disabled child instead of choosing abortion.
The move came after a bill calling for a complete ban on abortion, supported by the Catholic Church, was defeated. Instead, Poland will make grants to families who have a disabled child, in order to reduce the number of abortions. The ‘For Life’ plan will pay £820 (4,000 zlotys) on the birth of a disabled child or one with a life-threatening disease.
Abortion is already illegal in Poland unless the mother’s health or life is threatened, or if the pregnancy is a result of incest or rape, or if the unborn child is deformed or ill.