Supporting NI and Irish women seeking abortions
by Laura Woodhouse // 15 December 2009, 17:33
Further to my post on the Irish women seeking to challenge their country's abortion ban at the European court of human rights, you can support Irish and Northern Irish women by donating to the Abortion Support Network:
While other organisations campaign for law reform, we will exist to help women access safe abortions by providing practical support, including housing for women who come to London for abortions and need a place to stay overnight, and with funding to help offset the costs of travel and procedure, which can range from £400 - £2000 depending on stage of pregnancy and other circumstances. 100% of any donation made to ASN will be used to help a woman travelling from Ireland to offset the cost of her abortion.
You can visit the ASN website to make a donation through PayPal or to set up a standing order.
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Elmo // Posted 15 December 2009 at 18:43
just to be clear-is it also illegal to have an abortion in NI? Even though its part of the UK? Might be a stupid question, but just wanted to make sure.
Laura Woodhouse // Posted 16 December 2009 at 13:27
Elmo - yes, it's illegal - read this article for more.
Elmo // Posted 16 December 2009 at 18:08
Thats bloody awful-and highly ironic, since NI were so desperate to stay part of the UK, you'd think they'd follow the same laws as the rest of us. Thanks, Laura.
coldharbour // Posted 18 December 2009 at 17:33
Being an autonomous part of the U.K.The N.I. Assembly has ultimate control over the issue. The D.U.P. are in effect a Christian fundamentalist party rooted in 17th Century Ulster-Scots Presbyterianism, you might as well have John Knox formulating social policy. The S.D.L.P. as far as I am aware are opposed to any change in the law and Sinn Fein also have the same position stated here:
http://www.sinnfein.ie/contents/10519
Many secular Sinn'ers would in private say they oppose this policy but at the end of the day don't want to lose votes to the S.D.L.P.