Access to abortion is a human right and all reproductive health services must be delivered on the basis that all people have the right to decide whether and how to control their own fertility.Jessie Duncan
Members of Glasgow Green Party are taking a stand against a demonstration by an American pro-life group.
The branch's Women's Network will be taking part in a counter demonstration to voice their support for a pro-choice approach to abortion. This will be in opposition to the ‘40 Days for Life’ rally taking place on Sunday in George Square. This event will mark the end of the group's Lent-long 'vigil' outside of Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where patients attend for abortion services in the city.
2018 is the third year of 40 Days for Life adopting this tactic, with the ongoing demonstrations outside of hospitals in Scotland exposing the true lack of regard for the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of those involved. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde advise that following abortion, ‘feelings of loss or sadness are common even though a woman knows she has made the right decision for her’ and that ‘feelings of guilt or self-blame also occur, for example feeling that she may have not taken enough care or that other people are judging her'. The Women's Network believe that the behaviour of 40 Days for Life is clearly contrary to this guidance and are deeply concerned about the tactics used by the group at such a difficult time.
Jessie Duncan, spokesperson for Glasgow Green Party's Women's Network, said: "In the Scottish Greens, we consider that access to abortion is a human right and all reproductive health services must be delivered on the basis that all people have the right to decide whether and how to control their own fertility.
"Decisions about whether to have children, when and how many to have should be a matter of free choice and people should be able to exercise this basic, legal right free from any form of intimidation or harassment.
"We recognise that the decision whether or not to continue with a pregnancy is never undertaken lightly and is a difficult emotional time.
"In Scotland we are fortunate to have had access to free, safe abortion since 1967. This has meant that every generation of women after have had more control over their own health, bodies and lives.
"At the same time, women in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland must still take a flight or a ferry to access this very basic form of healthcare that should be available at home.
"In order to protect our own hard-won rights and to stand in solidarity with those who are still fighting, we must be ready to challenge the currently small but very vocal wave of anti-abortion activism."
Glasgow Green's Women's Network invite all who are able to join on Sunday to George Square at 3pm for a pro-choice counter demonstration to the abhorrent ‘40 days for life’ rally.