Modern methods of contraceptives are not widely available, and where they are available they are often prohibitively expensive. In Russia the cost of condoms is the equivalent of two-thirds of a week's worth of wages. Abortion is often the only way for women to control their fertility. Hungary has chosen a different route. Hungary recently created 20 emergency contraception units in hospitals around the country.
Abortion is now illegal except under certain extreme circumstances.
Although abortion is legal in Albania, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania and Russia, there is a growing trend towards restrictions in the region. Only Lithuania guarantees anonymous testing. And only in Romania and Russia are there even laws to protect HIV positive individuals from discriminatory hiring and firing practices in the workplace. Moreover, in most countries, broad categories of individuals must be tested for HIV, such as seamen, prisoners, pregnant women and others. But policies and laws that target adolescent reproductive health issues are scarce.