2017 is the 50th anniversary of the UK Abortion Act. This week parliament took an historic step forward in the move towards decriminalization but this is also a time of escalating global threat to women’s reproductive health. We ask you to join UCU in two events working with our affiliate group Abortion Rights:
1) Abortion is a workplace issue: afternoon conference, Saturday 25th March, Birmingham
In this 50th anniversary year of the 1967 Abortion Act, please join West Midlands UCU to discuss abortion rights. Focusing on the importance of access to abortion in achieving gender equality in the workplace, the event will highlight issues around the legal status in different parts of the UK, emphasise why trade unions should support abortion, and discuss mobilization against the global anti-abortion movement.
When: Saturday 25th March
Where: Birmingham Midland Institute
9 Margaret Street
Birmingham
B3 3BS
Time: 13.30 – 17.15
Book at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/abortion-is-a-workplace-issue-tickets-32271373547
Abortion is a Workplace Issue www.eventbrite.co.uk
In this 50th anniversary year of the 1967 Abortion Act, please join West Midlands UCU to discuss abortion rights. Focusing on the importance of access to abortion in achieving gender equality in the workplace, the event will highlight issues around the legal status in different parts of the UK, emphasise why trade unions should support abortion, and discuss mobilization against the global anti-abortion movement.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1872076269701221/
2. “Stand up for Choice: national counter-demonstration at the UK March for Life, Birmingham, Saturday 20th May
2017 is the 50th anniversary of the abortion act. Each year the annual March For Life UK tales place in Birmingham – we are chosen because of our history in setting up the first clinic in the BPAS.
In 2017 women face an increasing global threat to our agency and safety in reproductive choice. We are looking out at a world where within days of taking office President Trump has already taken the funding from vital programs associated with reproductive choice which will cost lives in impoverished and war-torn countries, as well as attacking the freedom of women to make choices about their bodies along with many other freedoms we would associate with democracy. Here in the UK abortion is still a criminal act. Pregnancy discrimination and the impact of austerity impact on the ability to have and raise children for those who want them, whilst the growth of US style intimidation tactics threaten those who don’t.
Women are rational decision makers and we have agency over our bodies. Join the counter-demonstration to stand up for choice. No return to the backstreet abortionists. Our bodies, our lives, our right to decide.
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/350747248644989/
Rhiannon Lockley
West Midlands Chair
UCU Women Members’ standing committee