Dr. Jasenka Grujić, a renowned gynecologist and obstetrician in Croatia, has been fighting for women’s right to abortion for decades. Through her research, she has discovered that some Croatian hospitals do not perform abortions or offer women the choice between medical or surgical abortion. Dr. Grujić is advocating for women to have the option of a medical abortion at home, in accordance with the guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the WHO, women up to 12 weeks pregnant should have the right to a medical abortion at home, as it is safe and well-documented. Medical abortion involves taking two pills: the first pill dissolves the cervix and softens it so that it can be easily removed; and the second pill induces contractions and causes the uterus to reject the products of conception. This process can be done at home with guidance from a professional over the phone. However, ultimately, the decision to have an abortion should be up to each individual woman and her doctor.
Croatia has lagged behind other countries in providing access to medical abortion, only allowing it since 2015. This has led many Croatian women seeking services abroad where they report feeling less stigmatized than they do at home. Dr. Grujić is an advocate for women’s reproductive rights and believes that allowing medical abortions at home is a safe and effective option that should be adopted by Croatia in line with WHO recommendations. She has been working in the medical profession for nearly 50 years and continues to push for change on this important issue.
