OUSU's Pro Choice Policy

Abortion Rights

 OUSU has pro-choice policy, which includes a resolution to “support a woman's right to choose, and to campaign for this right to be legally established”, “to oppose any moves to restrict the current legal situation”, and “to campaign to extend women's rights of access to an abortion”.

OUSU is affiliated to Abortion Rights, the only abortion-focused campaigning and advocacy organisation in the UK, providing up-to-date information to campaigners, campaigning materials and a strong pro-choice voice in the UK.

OUSU’s policy on Pro Choice Action

OUSU Notes

1. That in Britain there is currently still no abortion on demand- women must get the permission of two doctors.

2. That abortion is still illegal in Northern Ireland

3. That a woman’s right to choose also depends on free access to contraception but that pharmacists and doctors are permitted to refuse to dispense the morning after pill on ‘moral’ grounds.

4. That several Early Day Motions have been taken to parliament in the previous year effectively calling for cutting back the time limit.

OUSU Believes

1. That the postcode lottery of NHS funding means that the availability of free, publicly funded abortion is extremely limited in many, mostly poorer, areas of the country. And this problem will be exacerbated by the drive towards fragmentation and privatisation which New Labour is implementing in our health service.

2. That sex education is crucial to enabling women control over their own bodies and sexuality and that it should be made available in all schools.

3. That while no woman should be made to feel guilty for having an abortion, the ‘right to choose’ also means the right to have a child free from economic and social pressure. This requires a living wage or equivalent in benefits, publicly funded childcare, and an end to the stigmatisation of single mothers.

4. That women should no longer require the consent of consent to two doctors in order to obtain an abortion. That this practice not only denies women full rights over their reproductive system, but also presents a particular barrier for women from poorer backgrounds and those who do not speak English.

OUSU Resolves

1. To support the ‘Torch-lit march for abortion rights’ called by the Feminist Fightback conference to take place at 6pm in London on 3^rd March 2007.

2. To organise a delegation to attend this march alongside other local campaigning activities during International Women’s Week.