Northern Ireland achieved a momentous triumph for women's rights after the repeal of the country's restrictive anti-abortion law in favor of decriminalization on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The reformed law is set to follow recommendations from the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) published in 2018.
The recommendation stated that "abortion should be legalized where there is a threat to the pregnant woman's mental or physical health, without the conditionality of its effects being long-term or permanent."
Additionally, it recommended permission for the termination in cases of incest or rape, severe fetal impairment, and the provision of social and financial support for women who decide to terminate their pregnancies.
Future implications
By April next year, the government of the United Kingdom will provide more detailed measures to ensure that terminations are free, safe, and regulated. Until then, the government issued guidance to healthcare professionals on the reformed abortion law.
Criminal prosecutions and police investigations related to abortion cases will also come to a stop.
Backed by Members of the Parliament at Westminster, the notion to reform the abortion law was put forward to the Northern Ireland's Executive Formation Bill. In May 2018, the Republic of Ireland voted by a landslide to legalize abortion, drawing the highest turnout for a ballot on social issues.
Why only now, after 158 years?
The devolved government collapsed. Due to the Stormont government still being dormant, the legislation lacked ministerial backing. It was proposed that if the devolved government is still not restored by Oct. 21, then the legislation should come into force—on the condition that the future government can amend or overturn the law.
After 1,009 days without a functioning government, the Oct. 21 deadline has passed without a devolved government being reformed. Hence, the reform in the abortion law.
However, the law reform was met with resistance.
Social conservative members of the Unionist parties tried to stop the law reform by naming an assembly speaker, but representatives from the Nationalist parties refused to attend. This led to the suspension of the sitting after less than an hour.
Unionist leader, Arlene Foster, called the law reform "shameful," and Catholic bishops called it "tragic day for unborn children and a sad day for local democracy."
In contrast, groups like Alliance for Choice, Stonewall, Amnesty International Northern Ireland, and activists who fought for the law reform celebrated the "beginning of a new era for Northern Ireland—one in which we're free from oppressive laws that have policed our bodies and healthcare."
Although the terminations in England, Scotland, and Wales are regulated by The Abortion Act of 1967, Northern Ireland is excluded. This is why, for 158 years, abortion is considered a criminal act in the country. Women are persecuted for accessing abortion pills while pregnant people travel by car, plane, boat, and rail to access terminations elsewhere.
Thanks to the reform of the abortion law, access to high-quality abortion and post-abortion care in all public health facilities will become available. However, the people of Northern Ireland must remain vigilant for the members of the Conservative parties to express eagerness in examining ways to repeal the newly reformed abortion law.
