Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland stands out as having enacted historical positive change in abortion law, from an almost complete ban in the 20th century to the decriminalization achieved in 2019. This book documents and analyzes how this historical change was achieved. Each chapter is written by those directly involved in the long-fought battle to change abortion law - including those with personal experience of seeking abortions, activists, academics, legal experts, political actors, NGOs, and volunteers. In this, the first of two volumes, contributions focus on the legislative landscape of the process with particular emphasis on the importance of ''feminist legal work'' - law-making influenced by the women most likely to be impacted by it.>

Decriminalizing Abortion in Northern Ireland is a deep dive into the long road to decriminalisation, spanning two volumes and a timeline of decades These two volumes tell the rich history of the abortion rights movement in NI, and how a constellation of movements and actors came together to achieve decriminalisation. They are a must-read for anyone researching abortion rights, and for those unfamiliar with the NI context, provide a thorough introduction.

Vorwort
First-hand accounts of the path toward achieving legal abortion access in Northern Ireland.

Autorentext
Fiona Bloomer is Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at Ulster University, UK. Emma Campbell is Co-Convenor of Alliance for Choice (AFC) - representing the thousands of people who have had, or need abortions in Northern Ireland - and PhD Candidate at Ulster University, UK.

Inhalt
Contents Acknowledgments List Of Contributors 1. Introduction Emma Campbell And Fiona Bloomer Theme 1 Law 2. Reflections From A Northern Ireland Politician Anna Lo 3. Power-Sharing, Devolution And Patriarchy: An Analysis Of The Role Of The Northern Ireland Assembly In Abortion Law Reform Claire Pierson 4. The Role Of Human Rights Organisations Les Allamby 5. A 'United' Kingdom?: The 1967 Abortion Act And Northern Ireland Jennifer Thomson 6. The Request For An Inquiry Under The CEDAW Optional Protocol Judith Cross, Catherine O'Rourke And Audrey Simpson 7. Working Within Westminster Stella Creasy And Cara Sanquest 8*. The Supreme Team *Susan Mckay 9*. Law Reform And Decriminalisation Delivered: Westminster And Strategic Litigation *Grainne Teggart And Ruairi Rowan 10. Alliance For Choice As Agents Of Legal Change Máiréad Enright Theme 2 Campaigning And Activism 11. Blazing The Trail-Campaigns: The Earlier Years Lynda Walker 12. Alliance For Choice New Beginnings Kellie O'Dowd And Judith Cross And Fiona Bloomer 13. Reflections From An Activist Maria Amélia Ponte Lourenço 14. In Her Shoes - Abortion Stories Ashleigh Topley 15. What Sort Of State Were We In? Alliance For Choice Tackle Westminster Emma Campbell 16. Alliance For Choice Derry: Delivering Decriminalisation: Activism In The North-West Maeve O'Brien 17. Dismantling The Walls Of Silence Surrounding Abortion In Northern Ireland Ruairi Rowan And Audrey Simpson 18. Alliance For Choice Volunteers Emma Gallen 19. Conclusion Emma Campbell And Fiona Bloomer Appendices Timeline Of Key Events Glossary Bibliography Index