The feminist movement in Poland: Why so slow?

Despite seemingly favorable conditions for the development of a feminist movement in Poland, such a movement has been slow to develop. This article illustrates the importance of examining the particular, local contexts within which women's movements emerge and unfold. Specifically, I focus on historical, political, economic and social conditions that pose obstacles to the formation of a strong feminist movement in Poland. These include long periods of foreign domination which resulted in forced unity and reinforced traditional roles for women, the significant role of the Catholic church; a communist legacy of distrust of feminism and centralized forms of organization; suppression of women's interests in the Solidarity movement; and the limited opportunities for women created by political and economic policies during the current transition. The fledgling movement does show some signs of growth and strengthening: the number of feminist organizations is increasing, and feminists are be.-inning to articulate a distinctly Polish feminism. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.