Discrimination And Denial: Short Film Explores Abortion Law In Northern Ireland

NORTHERN IRELAND, June 15 – A new short film exploring the plight of Northern Irish women needing an abortion premiered here today. The film interviews leading Northern Irish health professionals and politicians and “illustrates how difficult it is not just for women, but for health professionals trying to provide quality healthcare within a state that does not recognize and provide access to legal and safe abortion.”

Discrimination and Denial: Abortion Law in Northern Ireland is funded and produced by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), and in partnership with the UK Family Planning Association (UKfpa).

In a press release, Dr. Audrey Simpson OBE, Director of fpa in Northern Ireland said, “The Northern Ireland Assembly is in a state of paralysis and denial about abortion. We hope this incredible, powerful film empowers and energises people to demand that the Assembly reverses the dire situation they have created for women. Two thirds of people in Northern Ireland support abortion in cases of incest and rape, but the Assembly refuses to listen to them.”

Vicky Claeys, Regional Director (European Network) of International Planned Parenthood Federation, added “Women in Northern Ireland are voting with their feet, and as many as 40 women leave the country each and every week to access safe abortion services in another European country. It is disgraceful that they are forced to do so; it is an even greater disgrace that politicians continue to discriminate against the women of Northern Ireland whose interests they are supposed to represent.”

The film can be viewed online here.

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