Blog: Legal abortion under attack – why this is a trade union matter

A leaked draft opinion from the US supreme court suggests that women in the United States could soon see their access to abortion severely limited.   Anne McVicker, Chair of National Women’s Committee and Liz Wheatley, Chair of International committee explain why this matters to UNISON.   On 2nd October last year, UNISON was proud to stand in solidarity with the thousands who marched in cities across the UK, and in other parts, of the World to protest against new limits on abortions in Texas.   Now it seems the US supreme court has voted to overturn Roe v Wade. A momentous ruling which will result in abortion becoming immediately illegal in an estimated 26 states when it is officially issued.   This latest development is one of many attacks by governments on a woman’s right to choose across the World.   The Polish government has brought in a near-total ban on abortion in Poland. Abortion is now permitted only in cases of rape or incest or when pregnancy threatens a mother’s health or life.   The pandemic led to restrictions in access to abortion so even in countries where abortion is generally accessible like the Netherlands, a court rejected a plea for abortion pills to be made available without a physical visit to a clinic. In Romania, the decision to suspend all non-emergency services hindered both public and private abortion services.   The DUP continues to block access to abortion services in Northern Ireland.   Why shou...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: Blogs Equality unison women women members Source Type: news