fpa Launches Its National Campaign To Protect Women's Rights To Abortion

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 23 Apr 2008 - 11:00 PDT

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Supported by celebrities such as Jo Brand, Janet Ellis, Polly Toynbee, Beverley Turner and Dr Miriam Stoppard, and marking today's Parliamentary event[1], fpa is officially launching its campaign to protect the current 24-week time limit for abortion. The time limit is currently under attack by anti-abortion groups and MPs who want to deny women access to the procedure.

Hosted on fpa's website (www.fpa.org.uk) the campaign features postcards, case studies, a petition, myth busters, celebrity support and a Facebook profile. Over ten thousand 'Women need 24 weeks for a reason' postcards have already gone out telling MPs why they should vote to keep the current time limit. Over a thousand people have already signed an online petition hosted by ipetitions.com.

Casting a light on the women behind the abortion statistics is the purpose of the Real Women, Real Stories section, where three women share their honest and touching accounts about having an abortion.

Other features includes Separating Fact from Fiction - the truth about abortion, details of all the scientific evidence proving why the time limit must stay the same, as well as information about late abortion, why women need it, and why their rights must be protected.

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive, fpa said,"For the first time in eighteen years[2], the issue of abortion is going to be scrutinised through a Government Bill in parliament. The most vulnerable women needing a late abortion are the ones who stand to lose if the time limit is cut. In line with all the current ethical, medical and scientific thinking fpa, as proud advocates of women's right to choose, will be fighting hard to protect the time limit from any changes."

Campaign website links:

fpa
Main campaign page; Women need 24 weeks for a reason
The Postcard to MPs
The petition
Real Women, Real Stories
Abortion Separating Fact from Fiction

Notes

[1] At 12:45 on Wednesday 23rd April, public figures and MPs will gather together to launch the pro-choice lobby campaign to protect the 24 week time limit and promote women's access to abortion.

[2] The legal time limit for abortion was cut from 28 weeks to 24 in 1990.

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

http://www.fpa.org.uk