Reimagining Global Abortion Politics

Abstract

What are the contemporary issues in abortion politics globally? What factors explain variations in access to abortion between and within different countries? This text provides a transnationally focused, interdisciplinary analysis of trends in abortion politics using case studies from around the global north and south. It considers how societal influences, such as religion, nationalism and culture, impact abortion law and access. It explores the impact of international human rights norms, the increasing displacement of people due to conflict and crisis and the role of activists on law reform and access. The book concludes by considering the future of abortion politics through the more holistic lens of reproductive justice. Utilising a unique interdisciplinary approach, this book provides a major contribution to the knowledge base on abortion politics globally. It provides an accessible, informative and engaging text for academics, policy makers and readers interested in abortion politics.

From Feminist Anarchy to Decolonisation: Understanding Abortion Health Activism Before and After the Repeal of the 8thAmendment

“…(Interview 1, LASS volunteer) Addressing logistics and emotion was central to the activists and embedded within a political commitment to addressing the lived experience of anti-abortion law for those living on the island of Ireland. As the Abortion Act 1967 (1967), which has made abortion accessible to residents of England, Wales and Scotland, has never been extended to Northern Ireland, organisations adopted a 'whole island' approach (for more, see Bloomer, Pierson and Claudio, 2018). Interviewees from LASS and Escort were committed to both minimising logistical barriers to care resulting from the need to travel to a different country for an abortion, and to disrupting the feelings of isolation and outsideness that abortion travel creates.…”

“…AHAs have been (and continue to be) crucial to facilitating abortion access for women living on the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland has some of the most restrictive abortion laws and policies in the world (Bloomer, Pierson and Claudio, 2018), and until December 2018, abortion was prohibited in almost all circumstances in the Republic of Ireland (Enright and de Londras, 2018). Irish AHAs have historically operated transnationally and have been based outside Ireland.…”

Abortion decriminalised in Northern Ireland

“…In rural communities, and to increase privacy for all, a clinic based telemedicine service could be set up, whereby medical consultation with a clinician takes place remotely and drugs are provided by a pharmacy or even by mail. Good evidence suggests that these services are safe, effective, and acceptable to patients 1415…”

Training abortion doulas in Northern Ireland: lessons from a COVID-19 context

“…1 In parallel, abortion doulas have held roles in assisting in abortion. 2 The role centres on emotional and social support, with evidence of their impact increasing in the last decade. [3][4][5] While some doulas operate within specific roles, a fullspectrum doula is involved in all reproductive health outcomes.…”