Abortion Rights

lobby your MP now - ahead of further votes

This autumn, anti-abortionists are set to attack women's legal abortion rights again, whilst pro-choice MPs will seek to improve the law to end obstruction and delay and extend rights to Northern Ireland

Please write to your MP now to urge them to oppose further anti-choice amendments and vote for amendments to improve the law for women. You can read more information on both anti-abortion and pro-choice amendments due to be tabled at the Report Stage of the Bill in our latest briefing paper.

briefing meeting - 7th October

Abortion Rights has called a briefing meeting for MPs and supporters ahead of further votes on abortion this autumn.

Oct 7th, 7pm, House of Commons

Please join us for a briefing on the amendments already tabled for the Report Stage of the Human Fertilistion and Embryoloy Bill and to discuss the next steps in the pro-choice campaigning at this pivotal time.

Please email us to reserve your place at the meeting.

Public meeting - 23rd Sept, Manchester

Campaigning to defend and extend women’s abortion rights ahead of further votes this autumn Labour Party Conference fringe meeting, Tuesday 23rd Sept 12.45pm The Rain Bar, 80 Great Bridgewater Street
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briefing on Report stage amendments

A briefing about the damaging and positive abortion related amendments tabled for the Report stage of the government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill and the issues involved for women.
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Employment opportunity at Abortion Rights

Campaign Project Worker post Abortion Rights is seeking to expand its employee resources for a limited period to support the demands on the organisation in the face of current parliamentary developments on abortion rights.
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Volunteer and Internship positions

Abortion Rights needs two enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers (unpaid) to support the work of the office. This is an exciting opportunity to directly support women’s key rights during a key time. Volunteers will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and experience in a voluntary sector setting.
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please join Abortion Rights!

The vote in Parliament on 20th May was a huge victory for the pro-choice movement. Abortion Rights' campaigning with thousands of supporters had a direct impact on the outcome and high profile campaigning to defend and extend women's abortion rights remains important.

The additional campaigning now required through the summer and autumn will require extra funding. Women are relying on us — will you help?

time limit vote – decisive win for women - thank you

On Tuesday 20th May, MPs voted to defend the 24 week abortion time limit. This vote is a decisive win for women and the pro-choice movement. The key votes were to reduce the time to 22 weeks (defeated 304 votes to 233) and 20 weeks (defeated 332 votes to 190). Despite a sensationalist and misleading campaign by the anti-abortion lobby, women’s voices, the wealth of medical evidence and the majority of the population have been listened to.

How MPs voted on 22 weeks

1000 protest to defend abortion rights

1000 supporters of a woman's right to choose took part in a lively and determined emergency protest outside parliament ahead of the abortion vote on Tuesday.

The protest was called at very short notice and Abortion Rights would like to thank everyone who came including leaders and members of many national trade unions and the TUC, the National Union of Students, women's groups, sexual healthcare workers, doctors and nurses and individuals.

More photos...

Emma Thompson and Jo Brand adds support campaign to defend 24 weeks

Ahead of the key vote on abortion time limits, oscar winning actor Emma Thompson said: ‘Those opposed to abortion are entitled to their view, but they should not be allowed to dictate to women about their own individual decisions and start chipping away at laws designed to protect the safety of women who cannot continue with a pregnancy.

Comedian Jo Brand said 'This time limit argument is a total red herring. Its the same old anti-abortionists with their anti-woman agenda, making up the science as they go along. MPs should have no truck with it!'

Edinburgh + Glasgow protests show strength of pro-choice feeling

Emergency pro-choice protests in Edinburgh and Glasgow on Monday ahead of the key abortion vote attracted 70 and 100 vocal defenders of women's current abortion rights.