UNISON backs abortion rights and decriminalisation

UNISON joined thousands of people marching in central London at the weekend to protest against the recent overturning of abortion rights in the US and to demand the decriminalisation of abortion in the UK. The Supreme Court decision to overturn the Roe v Wade ruling has meant that millions of women across the US have been stripped of access to abortion. Saturday’s march was organised by campaign group Abortion Rights, which demands that abortion is decriminalised in the UK. UNISON is part of the We Trust Women coalition, a group of organisations demanding the decriminalisation of abortion in the UK. Abortion remains illegal in the UK and not available on request. The 1861 Offences Against the Person Act – a Victorian law passed 67 years before women won the right to vote – classifies abortion as a crime that carries a punishment of up to 12 years in prison. UNISON Camden branch secretary and chair of UNISON international committee Liz Wheatley delivered a speech at the rally. Liz Wheatley addressing the rally Ms Wheatley said: “The biggest ever march to defend abortion rights was organised by the TUC against the Corrie Bill [in 1979], and 80,000 people took to the streets. “UNISON is affiliated to Abortion Rights and has supported all the protests, and immediately after Roe v Wade was overturned, our general secretary Christina McAnea wrote about why abortion is a trade union issue. “Rich people will always be able to get an abortion, it’s working class pe...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Article News abortion international women Source Type: news