Abortion decriminalised in New Zealand

[stumbledin]

“From now abortions will be rightly treated as a health issue.

“The previous law required a woman seeking an abortion to go through many hoops. The changes agreed to by parliament will better ensure women get advice and treatment in a more timely way.”

The public was going to be consulted on the issue in a referendum but the government changed the plan late on Wednesday – with the bill passing parliament late on Wednesday by 68 votes to 51.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/new-zealand-abortion-decriminalised-new-landmark-law-a9411391.html

Just thought I would post as it is some good news, even if the other side of the world.

Fantastic decision

Unfortunately for women in NI the situation is still bad and the Covid-19 outbreak is making it worse.

It looks like proposals to bring NI into line with the rest of the UK are not going to happen: "doctors say government officials have told them measures now under consideration would mean women can only have an abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Women would only be allowed a termination past the 12-week mark if they can prove their mental or physical health is at risk, according to campaigners."
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/northern-ireland-abortion-rules-law-pregnant-women-a9407116.html

And the EU travel ban for 30 days means women trying to get to England for an abortion will be blocked from travelling. www.marieclaire.co.uk/news/ireland-internet-abortion-coronavirus-travel-ban-690339

Haven’t read the link to see if this was the cause behind it, but I wonder if: The public was going to be consulted on the issue in a referendum but the government changed the plan late on Wednesday was due to Corona? Either way, I’m glad it has played out like this and has resulted in women having choice of their own bodies. I do think (or hope) that if it had gone down to a referendum that the percentage (in favour) would be higher, but I’m just glad that the motion has been passed and New Zealand has been dragged, kicking and screaming, into the modern world, despite what the opposers were so desperately trying to argue against.

And I believe that feminists saw off "pregnant people" in the wording in favour of "pregnant women"

Ereshkigalangcleg If that's correct fantastic! I hadn't realised they had been talking about pregnant people [WtF]

And I believe that feminists saw off "pregnant people" in the wording in favour of "pregnant women"

That makes it two wins!

They did that quietly! I'm right here, in NZ, and this is the first I've heard of it. A piece of truly good news in the desert!

That's good news.
It has occurred to me that any woman suffering an unwanted pregnancy during this health crisis needs unrestricted access to an abortion more than ever.
The inhumanity of forcing a woman to remain pregnant and give birth right now is inconceivable.
All abortion must be decriminalised.
Women must be free to protect their own health and bodies.

That’s fantastic news

Excellent move by New Zealand
Let’s see the same happen here in GB- get rid of the 1967 Abortion Act and relevant bits of Offences against the person Act and decriminalise abortion in Britain
I had thought NI situation already technically is ‘decriminalisation’ because it already isn’t covered by 1967 Act etc, so any restrictions on new abortion services there are being written in by government departments and ministers there, not by statute?

Just found this clip of Diana Johnson MP (Lab, Hull) holding the government to account on why NI women are still waiting for an abortion service in NI posted by the BPAS

mobile.twitter.com/bpas1968/status/1240245959285669888