Abortion Rights: The Time Is Still Now

Abortion Rights: The Time Is Still Now

By  Dr. Morgan Healey

ALRANZ National President

Today ALRANZ continues the fight for women’s reproductive justice. There has been no law change since 1977, despite the advances in both medical technology and women’s rights. Women are still subjected to a system of certifying consultants, having to validate their right to a simple medical procedure.  While the organisation applauds those medical practitioners who have work hard daily to make abortion accessible and available, ALRANZ refuses to believe that laws are necessary to govern the choices of New Zealand women.

Over the last year, abortion has become a topic again for discussion. Thanks to the dedication of MP Steve Chadwick, abortion law reform has resurfaced as a political issue. The recent Appeal Court decision on the case between the Right to Life and the Abortion Supervisory Committee (ASC) once again brought to the fore the antiquated nature of our existing abortion laws. Justice Miller , in his 2008 High Court ruling, questioned the validity of 98% of abortions being conducted on the grounds of mental health and while the majority of the Appeal Court justices reaffirmed the ability of doctors to make these decisions themselves (without the oversight of the ASC), it highlights the fragility of women’s reproductive rights within New Zealand law. Had the Appeal Court justices echoed Miller’s ruling, medical practitioners could have faced tough scrutiny of their capacity to decide when women are ‘eligible’ for abortions. Such a ruling would have almost certainly resulted in further restrictions on women’s access to abortion, with medical practitioners living in fear of having their medical judgement second guessed by the ASC. ALRANZ was thankful that such a ruling did not materialise, however, it should not make pro-choice activists complacent.

No woman should be left in that position. Abortion law reform alongside the framing of abortion as a necessary medical procedure can and must occur. It is time that New Zealand law recognised and trusted the capacity of women to make informed reproductive decisions. It is time for greater access and availability of abortion services, particularly early medication abortions, across the country, so that no matter where a woman lives she is confident that she can receive the care she needs and deserves. It is time to end the stigma around abortion, to allow women the space to openly discuss their experiences without fear of being labelled a ‘baby killer’ or immoral.

The last year has seen the momentum building around this issue. ALRANZ is dedicated to moving this debate along, calling on all pro-choice people to join us, either through local activities or collaborating for a national campaign. New Zealand women have been left to suffer with an insufferable law that does not reflect or appreciate the lived experiences of women. How much longer should we accept a law that works for most? A law which refuses to trust women with their own bodies? ALRANZ believes that time is now. I hope many of you reading this page will join us or one of the many other groups popping up around the country. Together we can make abortion law reform possible.

For more information about ALRANZ, visit our Web site at www.alranz.org