Author's description of the project:

Two years ago I found out that my mother had an abortion.

When I began to question her my mother spoke reluctantly, almost in a whisper. "Abortion" is a taboo word for many women in Belarus. They try not to pronounce it or replace it with another word, almost none of the women admit that they have such experience.

In Belarus termination of pregnancy up to 12 weeks is not prohibited. From 12 to 22 weeks abortion can be done only for medical and social reasons. On average, there are 23.5 abortions per 100 births, and approximately 40% of women terminate a pregnancy for economic reasons.

But every year in Belarus there are weeks without abortions and according to the latest amendments to the law on health care a doctor can refuse to terminate a pregnancy if it does not threaten the life and health of a woman. In the city of Logoysk all doctors used this right.

"Between Right and Shame" is the story of women who have had abortions for various reasons. Each has her own story which she will remember throughout her life: the Chernobyl tragedy, violence, early pregnancy, difficult childbirth, diabetes, fear of being alone, cheating on her husband, financial difficulties.

Almost all women did not want to show their face. But participation in the project for them is an opportunity to be heard. The topic of abortion is not only about the choice "to give birth or not", it is about the relationship between a woman and a man, about the position of a woman in society.