50 years of Choice for Women

The Abortion Act became law 50 years ago this week on 27 October 1967

The UNISON South East Regional Women’s Committee has for many years supported Abortion Rights UK, in line with National UNISON women’s policy.

Recently Abortion Rights UK asked labour movement organisations to offer support and donate £50 to mark fifty years since abortion was legalised. The South East Regional Women’s Committee would be grateful if branches could consider making a donation.

The 1967 Abortion Act dragged abortion out of the dangerous backstreets and was life-saving for many, many women. Despite this in the 50 years since then there have been many attempts to challenge it and movements that continually do so. The situation is very different however in Ireland where it is still illegal. And this year, Northern Ireland has started criminally charging people for taking safe abortion pills!

For more information:

ASN provides financial assistance, accommodation, and confidential, non-judgemental information to women forced to travel from Ireland and pay privately for abortions in England. The cost ranges between £400 and £2000 depending on circumstance and stage of pregnancy.

Please support a woman’s right to safe, legal abortion – regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.

The Regional Women’s Committee is also encouraging members to write to their MP and emphasise how important it is to protect the exitising legislation and not allow it to be watered down.

You can contact your MP easily using the WriteToThem website. Just enter your postcode, choose your MP, and copy and paste your text. You’re welcome to use or amend the text you can download from the link above.