Nearly 6 years ago, decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland was achieved. Yet commissioned abortion services are still not set up in the region. There can be no more feet dragging, no more failure. We need services urgently established.
The rights and choices of women, girls, and people who can become pregnant must be respected and protected – not only in law, but in practice. Delays to services are unacceptable and cause harm every day.
Between 2020 and 2021, 161 women and girls had to board a plane to England for abortion care. These distressing journeys should long be a thing of the past. Abortion provision must be established without further delay – the time is now.
What are we doing about it?
Our movement will not give up. Decriminalisation was achieved, now we want full access. We’re campaigning to have abortion services that respect and protect choice established. We’re also researching and monitoring the barriers to accessing abortion services in policy and practice.
Alongside artists like Olivia Colman, Bronagh Waugh, Deborah Frances-White, Juliet Stevenson, Kaiser Chiefs and Vick Hope, we sent an open letter to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 2022.