Simone Veil is much credited with introducing the French abortion law in 1975.

History of the French abortion law

In 1975, French minister Simone Veil introduced legalized abortion in France for up to 12 weeks gestation for women in distress. The caveat was, a pregnant women must claim to be in distress. This criteria acted as a safety valve for abortion on demand. Simone Veil was then the minister of health and relaxed access to contraceptives in late 1974. Termination was a crime in France until the French abortion law was passed in 1975. Simone Veil is singularly credited for legalizing pregnancy termination procedures there. The then minister for health went against the Church in Rome and the Grand Rabbi of France of her Judaic religion. Simone Veil proved herself to be an iron lady in France.

The present gender equality bill

Today, Simone Veil’s abortion bill is under review. The French government are bringing in a raft of changes to promote gender equality in the daily life of women in France. Women are still under represented at almost every area of French commerce & politics. The proposed gender equality bill will penalize political parties, educational institutions, self interest organizations and businesses who fail to employ women in equal measure. Equality measures include the right to terminate pregnancies, or to bear a child regardless of distress or not. It could alleviate business fears on down time due to maternity leave.

photo credit: European Parliament via photopin cc

The post French abortion law faces adjustments appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.

A rape crisis in Latin America has spurred on Argentine abortion law reform

Argentina’s landmark abortion ruling

Argentina’s x case is not an exact match on Ireland, but the court ruling there is a landmark decision. It over turns an earlier court ruling against abortion for the rape victim. Hitherto now, the young girl was expected to carry her pregnancy to full term and give the child up for adoption. A pregnancy termination procedure request was originally overruled. Argentine abortion law is undergoing much revision of late. It is no longer considered a punishable crime to have an abortion. It is also no longer necessary by law to seek court approval. But strangely in Argentina’s x case, this seems to be what was sought.

Argentina and Ireland are both now less restrictive on abortion

While countries like Spain, Russia and the USA are clamping down on abortions, Ireland and Argentina are doing the apposite. That said, Ireland is poised to become infinitely more accessible for abortion than Argentina. Ireland’s protection of life during pregnancy bill holds no gestation limits for a termination. It also includes suicidal ideation as grounds for an abortion. The only restrictions remaining are fetal abnormalities, and rape. No doubt the Argentine abortion law will be hitting the headlines again with the changing landscape on abortion.

photo credit: mariateresat. via photopin cc

The post Argentine abortion law reforms appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.

In Spain, the availability of pregnancy termination is being restricted. The abortion law reform is akin to a bull fight with only one winner.

Abortion tourism

Spain has for many decades become accustomed to easy access to pregnancy termination procedures. But the abortion law reform is set to restrict all this. Many advocates for equal rights feel that Spanish women will be forced to travel elsewhere for a pregnancy termination. This is currently the case for Irish women who have to travel to England, creating abortion tourism there. Danielle’s tragic termination story paints an all too common picture. Pro life groups in Spain no doubt welcome the restrictive measures, secured as part of a political party electoral manifesto. Justice Minister Alberto Ruiz-Gallardón has delivered on the party’s electoral promise. Their political manifesto on abortion law reform is secured.

What changes does the abortion law reform bring about?

The Protection of Life Conceived and Rights of Pregnant Women bill is designed to put more focus on the life of the unborn. Spanish women may seek an abortion if there is grave risk to their physical or mental well being up to 22 weeks of gestation. They can also seek a pregnancy termination from rape through to 12 weeks of gestation. Like Ireland’s Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, there are safeguards included. The safety measures entail seeking abortion advice from a number of recognized medical professionals. All in all, the measures in the Spanish abortion law reform bill will make it harder to obtain a pregnancy termination.

photo credit: Artamir  via photopin cc

The post Abortion law reform in Spain appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.

The Prime Minister of Ireland has ruled out fatal feotal abnormality as a grounds for an abortion in Ireland

The push for fatal foetal abnormality inclusion for abortion

Despite the prime minister’s stance, there is growing pressure on Ireland to cater for fatal foetal abnormality.There are even consultations expected soon on Abortion reforms in Ulster. A separate clarification call comes from the UN on Ireland’s Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. Under normal circumstances, the Irish government would debate this. But politics is an uncertain business. A referendum call on abortion from the Nation Women’s Council of Ireland has been requested. There has also been hints of a referendum call by the BPAS (The British Pregnancy Advisory Service).This means that nationally & internationally, Enda Kenny’s wisdom is being questioned.

Fatal foetal abnormality care

Some groups against abortion believe that there could be more emphasis on fatal foetal abnormality care. They feel this may alleviate stress women face with certain pregnancy failure. Such groups also think it may help women cope with inevitable infant mortality soon after giving birth. It remains to be seen if such a measure is to be considered for debate. Fatal foetal abnormality care is a relatively new concept, resulting from increased maternal awareness on fetal development. It is not likely that Enda Kenny will consider this option at present. As far as Mr. Kenny is concerned, fatal foetal abnormality is off the Irish government’s agenda. Visit Abortion Advice.ie for information on terminations today.

photo credit: Taz etc. via photopin cc

The post Enda Kenny rules out fatal foetal abnormality inclusion appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.

Justice minister David Ford motions an abortion proposal consideration for Easter 2014.

A similar abortion proposal demand in Dublin

The Irish government have already been through the grueling process of legalizing abortion in Ireland. The Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill has effectively decriminalized abortion in Ireland. Despite this unprecedented political move, the government omitted to cater for rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities. There has been calls in Ireland to rectify this omission. This means that both Ulster and the Irish state feel the need to address this issue at this time. Any proposal of this kind however, would rely on an abortion referendum in Ireland.

What is the likely outcome for such proposals in both jurisdictions?

It is not a given, but an abortion referendum in Ireland might be a hard sell for the government.  The Irish politicians will probably shy away from a referendum call. They will not be keen to revisit the issue in a hurry. In Ulster, the abortion proposal consultation by Ford may have an easier process of delivery. The justice minister has already tapped into similar sentiments among other politicians. Ford has heard heartbreaking stories from women who have suffered the loss of short lived fetal abnormal new borns. Fatal fetal abnormalities are common, and so the desire for abortion proposal consultations in Ulster. For information on abortion, contact Abortion Advice.ie.

photo credit: infomatique via photopin cc

The post Abortion proposal in Ulster parliament appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.

Abortion conscientious objectors in Victoria, Australia are having their voice heard in Parliament. But there is also the opposing side of the debate. Women’s reproductive rights.

How is this Australian parliamentary debate panning out?

As with all debates, there is more than one school of thought. In Victoria, we have the abortion conscientious objector versus women’s reproductive rights. This political debate is pretty divisive, as lobbyist on both sides are determined to win the day. Any reform might appear to render abortion availability as restrictive. Frankston Geoff Shaw is an independent MP who is considering a private members bill on the issue. His concern is that doctors are being forced to do something that they have a conscientious objection to. Emily’s list on the opposing side, are a network of pro choice Australian MPs. They are strongly in favour of protecting women’s reproductive rights. The debate is part of a global shift with a changing landscape on abortion worldwide.

Abortion Conscientious objectors in Ireland

Abortion in Ireland has yet to be rolled out. But given the situation in Australia, it’s inevitable that a similar debate will arise. The Irish Protection of Life During Pregnancy bill asserts in section 17, part 3:

“A person who has a conscientious objection… shall make such arrangements for the transfer of care of the pregnant woman concerned… to enable the woman to avail of the medical procedure concerned.”

The word abortion does not appear anywhere in this Irish abortion bill, but medical procedure closely describes this health service. With these reflections in mind, Abortion Advice.ie can see a likely Irish parliamentary debate mirroring Australia down the road.

photo credit: alandot via photopin cc

The post Ireland’s debate ahead? The abortion conscientious objector appeared first on Abortion in Ireland & the UK.