Group wants abortion services free
ACTIVISTS FROM SLIGO JOINED IN MARCH FOR CHOICE IN DUBLIN
AT the 7 th Annual March for Choice in Dublin on Saturday last, members of the Sligo Abortion Rights Campaign hand delivered a message to Minister for Health Simon Harris asking him to future proof legislation that provides the best legal framework for free, safe and legal abortion services that are inclusive and accessible to anyone who needs it.
“We were heartened to meet the Minister to bring our concerns to him and to meet with those fantastic and tireless campaigners from across the country and those campaigning across the border,” said local ARC member Niamh O’Connor. Legislation for the regulation of the termination of pregnancy is due to be debated in the Dáil this week.
“The Sligo Abortion Rights Campaign urges Sligo/Leitrim TDs Marc MacSharry, Eamon Scanlon, Tony McLoughlin and Martin Kenny to enact the will of the majority and to get the best possible patient centered care for pregnant people who seek abortion services.
“Getting the language right is crucial, as expanding the wording to include healthcare providers (not only medical practitioners) will allow nurses and midwives to play a role in the full reproductive rights of their patients.
“An ‘opt out’ rather than an ‘opt in’ clause, with an onus on healthcare practitioners not to refuse care will mean timely and accessible services for the most marginalised,” Niamh said.
Sligo Abortion Rights Campaigner and local activist Pegin Doyle stated: “It is so important that the legislation the government brings before the Dáil guarantees every person’s right to abortion and reproductive healthcare.
“It has to be made available to migrants and asylum seekers in direct provision, people who have disabilities, people who have different gender identities and of course for people whose fetus has a condition that will prevent it from surviving in the womb or past birth.
“It has to be free so no one is denied the care they need because they haven’t enough money to access the services.
“After the massive vote for change, we must not leave anyone behind or without care.
“It was also great to see the campaigners for reproductive rights in Northern Ireland marching in Dublin to support women here and we will back them all the way until women have the same access to abortion and reproductive care north and south.”
Sligo Abortion Rights Campaign says it will continue to campaign to de-stigmatise abortion and for free, safe and legal abortion care for all people who need it.