News Release 7 July 2006

Pro-choice supporters convene in the House of Commons to speak out in favour of abortion rights

Last night, Marie Claire magazine, leading commentators, MPs, trade union and student leaders, and supporters of women’s reproductive rights packed Committee Room 14 in the House of Commons to support safe, legal abortion throughout the UK. The “Speak Out: Break the Silence on Abortion” event was held to give women the opportunity to speak about their personal abortion stories and contest the sensationalist myths that are dominating the current abortion debate.

Attendees viewed an excerpt from the US film, “Speak Out: I Had an Abortion,” heard women speak about personal abortion experiences, and shared their own stories. The event was organised by the national pro-choice campaign Abortion Rights and was supported by women’s magazine Marie Claire and leading UK reproductive healthcare charity Marie Stopes International. It was hosted by Chris McCafferty MP and Laura Moffatt MP.

Anne Quesney director of Abortion Rights said:

“Access to birth control and abortion is crucial for women’s equality and a massive issue for the one in three British women who decide to end a pregnancy.

“The anti-choice lobby has hijacked the abortion debate, perpetuating the myth that all abortions cause psychological distress and focusing the debate on the rights of the foetus, in order to undermine support for a woman’s right to choose.

“Open and honest conversation about women’s real experiences and needs is the best defence against rights being chipped away. Our goal is to make women’s voices heard, and to bring women back into the centre of the debate.”

Marie O'Riordan, Editor of Marie Claire said: “As the leading women’s magazine in the UK, it’s important for us to take a stand in favour of an issue that is so crucial to the health and safety of women and their families.

“The August issue of Marie Claire, available today, features twelve women who tell the stories of how and why they chose to terminate their pregnancies. We felt it was important to present a more balanced – and realistic – overview of women’s abortion experiences.

“Marie Claire believes strongly in a woman’s right to chose, and in the responsibility of media outlets to report on the issue in a balanced fashion.”

Tony Kerrige, Spokesperson for Marie Stopes International said:

“Marie Stopes International is delighted to support this event, as it provides women with a rare forum to talk openly about their experience of abortion.

“So much media coverage focuses on atypical abortion experiences, distorting the debate. As the UK’s leading provider of abortion services, Marie Stopes International knows that, for the vast majority of women, abortion is a practical choice and a positive decision.”

Ends

For further information and interviews please contact:

Anne Quesney, Abortion Rights Tel: 020 7923 97 92/ 07909 974 101 Email: anne.quesney@abortionrights.org.uk

Kaye Woodhouse, Marie Claire Tel: 0207 261 6476 Email: kaye_woodhouse@ipcmedia.com

Tony Kerridge, Marie Stopes Tel: 020 7574 7353 / 07748 948 037 Email: tonykerridge@mariestopes.org.uk

Notes to editor:

1. To speak to one of the women who spoke about her abortion experiences at the event, contact Anne Quesney at Abortion Rights.

2. Abortion Rights is the national pro-choice campaign, working to defend and extend abortion rights and provide a pro-choice voice to the media. www.abortionrights.org.uk

3. Marie Claire is for women of style and substance. To read the feature in full see the August issue of Marie Claire, or log on to www.marieclaire.co.uk for more information and to visit the forum.

4. Marie Stopes International (MSI) produces a wide range of publications on sexual and reproductive health issues. http://www.mariestopes.org.uk/uk/publications.htm