Victory for progressives on abortion and same sex couples

NUS, through the Women’s and LGBT campaigns, won key victories for both women and lesbian couples yesterday (20 May) when parliament voted in our favour on abortion-rights and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Legislation proposing to reduce the legal time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to either 12, 16, 20 or 22 weeks was defeated and legislation proposing to obstruct same sex couples from accessing IVF treatment was also.

NUS’ Women’s and LGBT Campaigns are delighted that their long-term campaigning to defend and extend the rights of women and LGBT people has paid off.

NUS Women’s Officer Kat Stark said “Students should feel proud of themselves because we have worked hard, in our unions, on our campuses and with our MPs in the run up to the vote on Tuesday. The lobbying, demonstrating and campaigning work that women’s officers have led on has had national impact and we have successfully defended a woman’s right to choose.

”Students should also feel proud of the impact they have had in defeating homophobic attempts to block same-sex couples, and single women, from having children.

”From listening to the debates in the House of Commons on Tuesday, it is clear that there is still widespread sexism and homophobia in parliament today. We need to make sure that we continue to campaign to eradicate ignorance and discrimination in parliament and in society – let this victory fuel us as we go forward in our fight for equality for all.”

Pro-choice support came from a wide breadth of people.

Jo Brand, the comedian said
"This time limit argument is a total red herring. It's the same old anti-abortionists with their anti-women agenda, making up the science as they go along. MPs should have no truck with it."

Christine McCafferty, Labour MP said
"There has been no significant improvement in the survival of babies born before 24 weeks gestation over the last 12 years, despite medical advances. If the current limit were reduced, it would have an adverse impact on the very small number of women or girls, who do seek late abortions."

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP said
"There has been a campaign of misinformation, assertion and irrelevant information about the abortion time limit led by very well funded organisations opposed to all abortion. Sadly, the evidence shows that it simply isn't the case that wanted babies born below 24 weeks are more likely to survive. It is a cruel deception on parents with pre-term babies. It would be astonishing if Parliament took a view against the united approach of all the relevant medical institutions."

Robert Key, Conservative MP said
"I am a member of the general synod of the Church of England. A recent Church of England briefing to MPs said that any support for campaigns to change the abortion law would be on the proviso that such measures were evidence based. I am yet to be convinced that lowering from 24 weeks would significantly reduce the abortion rate and I believe there are alternative answers. I think the answer is a massive advance in responsible sex education."

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive fpa (Family Planning Association) said
"The few women who need later abortion are the hardest cases - very vulnerable women in incredibly difficult circumstances. Some women don't recognise the symptoms of pregnancy, sometimes because of poor sex education - they believe the myths, like you can't get pregnant if you're a virgin. People don't make these decisions lightly and women do need the time to make that decision."

Wendy Savage, Doctors for A Woman's Choice on Abortion said
"As one of the few doctors who has performed later abortion in Britain, I know how difficult the cases are. In one case, after 1990, I had a call from A and E about a young 17 year old, 26 weeks pregnant who had been held captive as a domestic worker, raped by her boss and was going to kill herself if her pregnancy wasn't ended. I hope that right, logic and evidence will prevail amongst MPs."

Louise Hutchins, Abortion Rights Campaign Coordinator said
"Nadine Dorries MP's crusade to turn back the clock on women's reproductive rights shows an appalling disregard for women and the difficult circumstances that they sometimes face. Lowering the time limit would be devastating for this small number of women and force some to continue with a pregnancy against their will - causing long term psychological and physical harm, others will travel abroad for a later abortion if they can afford to and others, will risk a dangerous illegal back-street option. MPs need to understand that women will be watching very carefully how MPs vote on Tuesday. We are protesting to make sure women's voices are heard loud and clear to defend 24 weeks."