 Can be very divisive - produces extreme views  Being anti-abortion - can reflect deeply held religious and moral beliefs  But illegal abortion is a major social problem globally – that has a class dimension  Major cause of maternal mortality – Tanzania 30% maternity hospital cases result of illegal abortion

 The idea of the individual citizen on which western political thought, liberal democracy is based – is a problem for abortion debates  Abortion can be seen as a conflict between two sets of rights – the women and the foetus  Does restrictions on abortion mean that women’s right to individual freedom is limited?

 Why has it been such a key issue for the neo conservatives – to the extent that the international anti abortion movement has been significant and influential?  Why the welfare of ‘unborn’ foetuses become such an emotive issue of concern compared to the welfare of ‘born’ children?  Is the killing of a foetus different from other forms killing?

 the production of certain populations as “ungrievable”, and the politics of public mourning as the expansion of our ideas of what constitutes a livable life, the expansion of our recognition of those lives that are worth protecting, worth valuing.

 Does a states position on abortion, expressed as policy reflect that states construction of national identity and citizenship?  Does a states position on abortion reflect internal party political dynamics and state civil society relationships?  What (if anything) does it tell us about the status of women

 Major international divisions in law on abortion, widely varying time limits and condition under which abortion can take place ◦ Absolute ban ◦ Life of the mother ◦ Physical health of the mother ◦ Mental health of the mother ◦ Socio-economic ◦ Certain non viable foetal conditions ◦ No reason under certain time restrictions

 Practised in all historic periods – in England acceptable until after ‘quickening’  Became more restrictive in UK 19 century ◦ 1837 abolished distinction between before and after quickening ◦ 1861 Offences against the person act – performing an abortion or self abortion life imprisonment ◦ 1929 Infant Life Preservation Act: this created a new crime of killing a viable foetus (at that time fixed at 28 weeks)

 1967 The Abortion Act (UK) legalising abortion under certain conditions Time limits reduced from 28 to 24 weeks  In US in 1965 abortion (unless the life of mother in danger) illegal in all states – after this date began to break down  1973 Supreme Court Roe v Wade access to abortion in early pregnancy a women’s right

 Campaign based on a ‘women’s right to choose’  Many European countries adopted this position for early stages of pregnancy most commonly 10 weeks

 Three referenda – 1983, 1992 and 2002  "The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.  "This subsection shall not limit freedom to travel between the State and another state.  "This subsection shall not limit freedom to obtain or make available, in the State, subject to such conditions as may be laid down by law, information relating to services lawfully available in another state."

 Prior to 2006 abortion permitted to save the life of the mother – dating from late 19 th Century  2003 case of ‘Rosa’ 9 year old pregnant rape victim – won the right to abortion (64% public approval in opinion poll)  2006 Ortega (FSLN) elected after pact with Catholic hierarchy supports total ban on abortion even for therapeutic purposes

 Kampwith (see moodle) explains rise of ‘anti- feminist’ movement in terms of both domestic and global politics  Reaction against ‘revolutions’ mobilisation of women  Reaction against feminist movement that grew out of the revolutionary movement  Reaction against international development agencies ‘pro-feminist’ agenda  Links to strong international anti-abortion movement