Students' Union to lobby for abortion services on campus
Flavia Gouveia
A motion calling for the introduction of abortion services to the SU Sexual Health Clinic was passed at a recent SU Council meeting.
The motion was brought by Student Councillor, Jenny Steele, and seconded by Women Students' Officer, Jess Crisp, at the SU council meeting held on 15 February 2023.
The motion tabled said: “In addition to the current Belfast Health and Social Care Trust Sexual Health Clinic in the Students’ Union, the Union should introduce Reproductive Healthcare Services, to make Early Medical Abortions (EMAs) available through the use of abortion pills, for up to week ten of pregnancy.”
Speaking about the motion Jenny, who is also co-chair of Project Choice QUB, said: “One of the campaigns this year at Project Choice is to get access to Early Medical Abortions (EMA’s) in the Student’s Union Sexual Health Clinic.”
She added: “These abortions are available through a pill which can be taken within the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. They are safer than penicillin, they are safer than Viagra, and the World Health Organisation has even stated that they are so safe, they can be taken at home.”
“The main aim of the motion [is] to mandate the SU to lobby for the implementation and access of EMA’s in the Students Union.”
Abortion services were decriminalised in 2019 in NI, but full implementation of services has not been achieved. Following a recent direction by the current Secretary of State, Chris Heaton-Harris, it is expected services will be fully commissioned by summer 2023.
Delays in the commissioning of services have led to disparities in the provision of services and a lack of centralisation has led to misinformation.
“Continually, we are placed at a disadvantage compared to England, where primary care and clinics that terminate a pregnancy are easy and accessible, for example, Chalmers Sexual Health Clinic in Edinburgh, unlike here” said Jenny.
Jenny added that the aim of the motion is to mandate the SU to “provide accurate and up-to-date information on services available” including reliable information to support students in making an informed decision.
“Having this information available in a safe and welcoming environment can cut out the hate and stigmatisation students face and protect their mental well-being” said Jenny.
The motion was passed unanimously with no objections. The Students’ Union will therefore be lobbying to secure the provision of abortion services at the SU sexual health clinic.
Flavia Gouveia is The Scoop’s Science and Environment editor and a Journalism MA student at Ulster University.