ABORTION IS A HUMAN RIGHT - ABORTION CARE SUPPORT IN THE UK & US
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know about the dystopian nightmare that is unfolding in the US at the moment. The famous Roe v. Wade law, which essentially gives uterus-owners the right to safe and legal abortions is being overturned by the US Supreme Court. This is alarming for a number of reasons, be it the need for unsafe ‘back-door’ abortions where people are forced to obtain abortions illegally, or the lack of respect for people’s freedom to have autonomy over their bodies and healthcare.
Thankfully, the UK gives greater access to abortion and birth-related healthcare than the US, but a lot of us don’t know exactly what that looks like. For people living in England, Wales, and Scotland, you have the right to abort an unwanted pregnancy before 24 weeks and in exceptional circumstances, have the right to one after this date if your life is at risk or the child would be born with a severe disability. Unfortunately, Ireland is more conservative and only allows legal abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, but also has an exceptional circumstance clause for risk to the parent or fetus.
WHO, the World Health Organisation, in the last few months has released new guidelines for abortion care in a bid to protect the health of women and girls and help prevent over 25 million unsafe abortions that currently occur internationally each year. “Being able to obtain a safe abortion is a crucial part of health care,” said Craig Lissner, acting Director for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO. “Nearly every death and injury that results from unsafe abortion is entirely preventable. That’s why we recommend women and girls can access abortion and family planning services when they need them.”
While it might feel like this fight is a million miles away, it’s important for all people who believe in the right to bodily autonomy to come together to protest the barbaric laws that are coming into place in the US. Whether it’s supporting UK-based pro-choice charities, attending a protest, signing a petition, or supporting charities overseas, every action taken, no matter how small, will help to fight the injustices people are facing in the US at the moment. We’ve compiled a cheat sheet below to help guide you in the right direction, but if you can, take time to research the best ways you as an individual can help, there’s no one size fits all solution.
Pro-choice charities to support in the UK
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
BPAS is the UK's largest provider of abortion services. They are an independent healthcare charity that for more than 50 years, has been advocating and caring for women and couples who decide to end a pregnancy.
See how you can get involved here.
Abortion Support Network helps people who need to access safe abortions. They provide information on clinics, travel, and accommodation, and provide financial assistance to help with costs for those who need it.
See how you can support them here.
Abortion Rights is the national pro-choice campaign fighting to defend and extend women’s rights and access to safe, legal abortion.
They have organised a protest in London this coming weekend - Saturday 14th May to march to the US embassy in London. For more information, click here.
For other ways to support, click here.
WE are campaigning to make abortion free, safe, and legal in every part of the UK.
To see how you can support, click here.
Pro-choice charities to support in the US
NARAL Pro-Choice America is an organisation made up of pro-choice women and men across the United States. Together, they protect a woman's right to choose.
To support their cause, click here.
The mission of the National Abortion Federation is to unite, represent, serve, and support abortion providers in delivering patient-centered, evidence-based care.
See how you can support them here.
Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally.
To support their cause, click here.
Not everyone can afford to support causes important to them financially, but there are many ways you can add your voice to the gathering crowds. If you can donate your time through volunteering or protesting, following activists on social media to stay up-to-date, talking to your partner, friends, and family about what is going on, or writing to your local elected officials, it all helps. Your voice is always important, don’t underestimate its power.