16 May 2008 For immediate release
STUC Calls on MPs to Oppose all Attempts to Reduce Abortion Time Limits
The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) is calling on MPs to defend women’s equality and oppose all attempts to reduce the current 24 week time limit for abortion when considering amendments to the Human Embryology and Fertilisation Bill on Tuesday 20 May 2008.
Criminalising vulnerable and disadvantaged women would not reduce the need for later abortion but would place some in a desperate position - forcing them to travel abroad, find unsafe back-street services or endure a pregnancy to term against their will. The major national medical and nursing bodies understand this and have been very clear in their support for the protection of such women under the law.
Grahame Smith, STUC General Secretary, said:
“The STUC is very clear that access to legal and safe abortions is a fundamental part of women's equality. Barriers to reproductive rights are barriers to full social, economic and political equality.”
Cheryl Gedling, Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee, said:
“Women seeking later abortion are amongst the most disadvantaged and vulnerable women, often facing exceptional and distressing circumstances.
“The STUC Women's Conference in November 2007 reaffirmed its position that access to legal and safe abortion services should be freely available for all women.”
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Mary Senior, Assistant Secretary - 0141 337 8100 / 07976 515 039
Notes to editor
- Fewer than 1.3 per cent of abortions in Scotland are carried out after 20 weeks.
Medical professional organisations are united in endorsing the current time limits for abortion, including the British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The Scottish Abortion Rights Campaign is organising two protests to defend women's equality and to urge MPs to vote against amendments to reduce the time limit for abortion.
• Glasgow, George Square from 5.30 pm on Monday 19 May 2008
• Edinburgh, the bottom of the Mound at 6.00 pm on Monday 19 May 2008