Abortion and the Women’s Movement W. Europe and Internationally: Then and Now Marge Berer Editor, Reproductive Health Matters Chair, International Consortium for Medical Abortion Chair, Voice for Choice

Soviet Union Communist Russia first to legalise abortion in 1920s.Communist Russia first to legalise abortion in 1920s. Alexandra Kollantai convinced Lenin.Alexandra Kollantai convinced Lenin. Next 50 years roots of abortion rights campaigns, e.g. 1930s in Britain, began.Next 50 years roots of abortion rights campaigns, e.g. 1930s in Britain, began. World War II delayed any activity in Europe.World War II delayed any activity in Europe.

Britain Late 1970s, in Britain, the 1967 Abortion Act was under threat from the anti-abortion movement that tabled bill after bill.Late 1970s, in Britain, the 1967 Abortion Act was under threat from the anti-abortion movement that tabled bill after bill. Grassroots advocacy for abortion rights for 3 years (voluntary). Worked full time for 2 years, National Abortion Campaign.Grassroots advocacy for abortion rights for 3 years (voluntary). Worked full time for 2 years, National Abortion Campaign. Other abortion advocacy groups: ALRA, LARC, DWCA, Coord…Other abortion advocacy groups: ALRA, LARC, DWCA, Coord…

National Abortion Campaign 1980 Grassroots membership organisation.Grassroots membership organisation. 3 low-paid staff / steering committee3 low-paid staff / steering committee Local groups all over Britain, main cities and rural areas. London alone had at least 10 groups.Local groups all over Britain, main cities and rural areas. London alone had at least 10 groups. Representatives from each group attended a monthly national planning meeting, each time in a different city.Representatives from each group attended a monthly national planning meeting, each time in a different city.

What we did Posters, postcards, scarves, bags, badges with slogans, and sold them for income.Posters, postcards, scarves, bags, badges with slogans, and sold them for income. Wrote pamphlets w/ women’s experiences and why we supported the current law.Wrote pamphlets w/ women’s experiences and why we supported the current law. Organised public meetings up and down the country, with prominent speakers.Organised public meetings up and down the country, with prominent speakers. Spoke in schools, universities, women’s organisations, local and national trade union meetings, community groups and local political party meetings + Parliament.Spoke in schools, universities, women’s organisations, local and national trade union meetings, community groups and local political party meetings + Parliament.

What we did 2 Asked groups to pass resolutions supporting the right to abortion, and give us donations.Asked groups to pass resolutions supporting the right to abortion, and give us donations. Set up stalls in markets at weekends and gave out literature and sold badges.Set up stalls in markets at weekends and gave out literature and sold badges. Talked to the media.Talked to the media. Organised demonstrations, including a mass demonstration in London in 1980 of 500,000 people.Organised demonstrations, including a mass demonstration in London in 1980 of 500,000 people.

Western Europe / France Similar large movements for abortion rights grew up in Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and later Spain.Similar large movements for abortion rights grew up in Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and later Spain. Netherlands: We Women Demand: Slogan Boss of my own belly.Netherlands: We Women Demand: Slogan Boss of my own belly. France, women + doctors alliance all major cities to provide safe abortions. Press conference: we are breaking the law, famous women said they had illegal abortions −> law changed in 1977.France, women + doctors alliance all major cities to provide safe abortions. Press conference: we are breaking the law, famous women said they had illegal abortions −> law changed in 1977.

Belgium In Belgium, the law changed long after the practice of abortion stopped being underground.In Belgium, the law changed long after the practice of abortion stopped being underground. The king, who was against abortion, abdicated his throne for 24 hours so that the bill could pass into law without his signature or his opposition.The king, who was against abortion, abdicated his throne for 24 hours so that the bill could pass into law without his signature or his opposition. By early 1980s, the law in most western European countries had changed.By early 1980s, the law in most western European countries had changed.

Jane, Chicago, USA A group of young women formed a collective to provide illegal abortions.A group of young women formed a collective to provide illegal abortions. Phone number in shop windows: ask for Jane.Phone number in shop windows: ask for Jane. One doctor, then he taught them all to do abortions.One doctor, then he taught them all to do abortions. Film made about the group many years later: don’t miss it.Film made about the group many years later: don’t miss it.

Abortion in the USA, 1964

Bilbao, Spain 1981 Court case: 7 women, TBA, family.Court case: 7 women, TBA, family. All 7 abortions were therapeutic.All 7 abortions were therapeutic. Feminist movement worked with lawyers.Feminist movement worked with lawyers. National and European witnesses at trial.National and European witnesses at trial. Thousands of women surrounded courthouse.Thousands of women surrounded courthouse. All women acquitted.All women acquitted. Law changed within a few years.Law changed within a few years.

Portugal 2006 Feminist groups and family planning association.Feminist groups and family planning association. Periodic arrests of women + TBAs.Periodic arrests of women + TBAs. Referendums.Referendums. Bills in Parliament, next to last one lost by only one vote.Bills in Parliament, next to last one lost by only one vote. Bill finally passed in 2006, allowing abortion on request but only to 10 weeks, more restrictions after that.Bill finally passed in 2006, allowing abortion on request but only to 10 weeks, more restrictions after that.

Ireland Young girl raped, given and then denied permission to go to England for abortion.Young girl raped, given and then denied permission to go to England for abortion. Anti-abortion efforts to make it illegal to travel for abortion outside Ireland or get information where to go: backfired.Anti-abortion efforts to make it illegal to travel for abortion outside Ireland or get information where to go: backfired. Two European court rulings:Two European court rulings: –Grogan – right to travel to obtain a (medical) service. (Court of Justice, 1989) –Open Door Counselling/Dublin Well Woman – right to freedom of information. (Human Rights, 1992) (Fletcher, RHM 2000)

International Campaign for Abortion Rights Formed 1978: major international women’s conference in Paris.Formed 1978: major international women’s conference in Paris. Members: activist feminist groups from: Britain, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, USA, Canada, Peru, Philippines, Japan, South Africa.Members: activist feminist groups from: Britain, Netherlands, France, Ireland, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, USA, Canada, Peru, Philippines, Japan, South Africa. International Days of Action 1979, 1981.International Days of Action 1979, Women & Health Meeting: Women decide −> Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights Women & Health Meeting: Women decide −> Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights 1985.

National movements for change Sometimes the law is the last thing that changes, sometimes it’s the first.Sometimes the law is the last thing that changes, sometimes it’s the first. A good law is necessary but not sufficient.A good law is necessary but not sufficient. A grassroots movement of women activists, and good quality services from an adequate number of trained providers are also necessary.A grassroots movement of women activists, and good quality services from an adequate number of trained providers are also necessary. Other key players include:Other key players include:

National movements for change 2 abortion providers and other medical professionals (nurses),abortion providers and other medical professionals (nurses), community leaders and groups, NGOscommunity leaders and groups, NGOs mainstream women’s organisations,mainstream women’s organisations, trade unions and other workers’ associations,trade unions and other workers’ associations, supportive lawyers, govt. ministers, parliamentarians, policymakers and political parties, branches and members,supportive lawyers, govt. ministers, parliamentarians, policymakers and political parties, branches and members, progressive religious leaders.progressive religious leaders.

Why support safe, legal abortion Women’s autonomy and right to control what happens in their own bodies.Women’s autonomy and right to control what happens in their own bodies. Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem.Unsafe abortion is a major public health problem. Public health reasons may be the best way to win over doctors and politicians, as they are responsible for the public health.Public health reasons may be the best way to win over doctors and politicians, as they are responsible for the public health.

Differences today compared to 20  30 years ago The anti-abortion movement is bigger, more sophisticated in its tactics, has major backing from the US government and the Vatican, and is a more formidable opponent.The anti-abortion movement is bigger, more sophisticated in its tactics, has major backing from the US government and the Vatican, and is a more formidable opponent. Abortion methods are much safer than they used to be even years ago, and require fewer skills. Early abortions − both surgical and medical − can be done by mid-level providers in primary health care settings (law must permit it).Abortion methods are much safer than they used to be even years ago, and require fewer skills. Early abortions − both surgical and medical − can be done by mid-level providers in primary health care settings (law must permit it). Or − women can do MVA for others or buy medical abortion pills no matter what the law.Or − women can do MVA for others or buy medical abortion pills no matter what the law.

Clandestine abortion is changing The abortion pill is becoming increasingly available, including where abortion remains legally restricted, replacing more dangerous methods but leading to more incomplete abortions.The abortion pill is becoming increasingly available, including where abortion remains legally restricted, replacing more dangerous methods but leading to more incomplete abortions. More providers are trained in MVA, some providers and hospitals are more willing to do post-abortion MVA, and more women are seeking treatment.More providers are trained in MVA, some providers and hospitals are more willing to do post-abortion MVA, and more women are seeking treatment. Rate and number of deaths falling, with exception of second trimester abortions.Rate and number of deaths falling, with exception of second trimester abortions.

A long way to go: % of countries permit abortion to save the woman’s life.97% of countries permit abortion to save the woman’s life. 5 countries do not permit abortion at all.5 countries do not permit abortion at all. Abortion is permitted for economic or social reasons in 78% of developed countries but only 19% of developing countries, and on request in 67% of developed but only 15% of developing countries. But on request usually means only first trimester.Abortion is permitted for economic or social reasons in 78% of developed countries but only 19% of developing countries, and on request in 67% of developed but only 15% of developing countries. But on request usually means only first trimester.

Need for a critical mass of support Induced abortion must be accepted by society as a legitimate health care service for women and an accepted choice in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, no matter what the woman’s age, marital status or reasons for abortion.Induced abortion must be accepted by society as a legitimate health care service for women and an accepted choice in the event of an unwanted pregnancy, no matter what the woman’s age, marital status or reasons for abortion. Then changes in abortion law and practice are more likely to succeed.Then changes in abortion law and practice are more likely to succeed. This is the work of decades and generations. Join us!!This is the work of decades and generations. Join us!!