Women in Northern Ireland still struggle to access abortion more than 2 years after decriminalization
, there are still significant barriers to abortion access in Northern Ireland, a part of the U.K. that is home to nearly 2 million people. Many are frustrated that there has been little progress more than two years after decriminalization. That’s because the Department of Health has not commissioned abortion services, leaving already-stretched health care workers to provide care on an ad-hoc basis without funding or training.
But Health Minister Robin Swann, of the Ulster Unionist Party, declined to set up and fund abortion care. Swann maintains he needs approval from the Northern Ireland executive committee, which is not functioning due to an unrelated political dispute. In May, Lewis introduced regulations eliminating the need for executive approval to commission abortion services.
Activists say clinicians are doing the best they can in the face of tremendous challenges. “The doctors and the healthcare professionals are operating in a vacuum,” says Connor. “There’s no governance for them, there’s no resources for them, there’s no funding for them. And the circumstances under which they were having to provide that abortion healthcare service was precarious for them. So we can’t blame them” when they are not able to provide the care.
When Connor initially spoke to Boyd and assured her she could help, “I felt like I exhaled for the first time in weeks,” says Boyd. Like 57% of women who had an abortion in the U.K. last year, Boyd is already a mother. She and her partner of seven years are careful about using contraception, so she was shocked when she realized she was pregnant in November. Her partner, who is on a waiting list for a vasectomy, supported her decision to seek an abortion.
The need for assistance is so great that in 2020 Alliance for Choice organized an “abortion doula” training, where participants learned about abortion and how to support people through the process. Connor stresses that they are not healthcare professionals or counselors, and they do not interfere with people’s decisions.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Biden Discusses Abortion Access With Democratic GovernorsPresident Joe Biden told Democratic governors Friday that he is “looking at all the alternatives” for protecting abortion access.
Consulte Mais informação »
Irish Birth Information and Tracing Bill becomes lawA bill aimed at giving adopted people 'full and clear right of access' to their original birth certificates has become law in the Republic of Ireland
Consulte Mais informação »
Michelle O'Neill lays Somme wreath in Belfast'I want to be respectful and send a strong message that I want to lead for everybody,' says Michelle O'Neill as she lays a wreath in Belfast to commemorate the dead of the Somme, but she will not attend the main ceremony somme
Consulte Mais informação »
Cost of living: Energy price hikes introduced in Northern IrelandEnergy price hikes come into effect across Northern Ireland from Friday which will put further pressure on the cost of living. costofliving
Consulte Mais informação »
Twelfth of July: Full list of parades taking place across Northern IrelandAfter two years of alternative celebrations due to the pandemic, 18 venues will be playing host to parades this year
Consulte Mais informação »
Marriage reform: Minimum legal age set to rise to 18 in NIMinimum age at which people can get married or enter civil partnership in Northern Ireland could increase under planned reforms
Consulte Mais informação »