15 June 2009
The first ever short film about the plight of Northern Irish women needing an abortion ‘Discrimination and Denial: Abortion Law in Northern Ireland’ was premiered in Northern Ireland on 15 June 2009.
Information for Journalists:
Interviews
Interviews with Dr Audrey Simpson, Director of fpa in Northern Ireland can be arranged.
Contact: fpa’s press office on
020 7608 5265/5264
mobile 07958 921060
Dr Audrey Simpson on 028 90 316 102
mobile 07985 382 702
Interviews with Vicky Claeys Regional Director (EN) of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) can be arranged.
Contact: Paul Bell at IPPF press office on pbell@ippf.org or mobile 07799 335533
Funded and produced by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Discrimination and Denial is a powerful documentary exposing what happens to women in Northern Ireland with a crisis pregnancy. The event is hosted by fpa (Family Planning Association) a Member Association of IPPF.
Dr Audrey Simpson OBE, fpa’s Director of Northern Ireland introduced the screening held at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action.
Dawn Purvis MLA and representatives from professional health bodies, student unions, trade unions, and the voluntary sector were in the audience.
Interviews with leading Northern Irish health professionals and politicians feature throughout the 12 minute documentary.
These interviews illustrate 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.
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 energizes 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[1], but the Assembly refuses to listen to them.”
A new leaflet, ‘Abortion rights are human rights’ is also being launched at the screening event which will include speeches and panel discussions.
Based on international human rights and IPPFs declaration on sexual rights, the leaflet examines these universally accepted entitlements and applies them to the situation regarding abortion in Northern Ireland.
Vicky Claeys, Regional Director (EN) of International Planned Parenthood Federation, who funded and produced the film and leaflet, said:
“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.”
Film premier details
The film screening on Monday 15 June started at 10:30am, the event finished at 12pm. It was held at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.
Further information
Jpegs and copies of the ‘Abortion rights are human rights’ leaflet are available on request from fpa’s Press Office 020 7608 5265/5264.
www.fpa.org.uk
fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.
Notes to Editors
[1] 62% of Northern Irish people polled responded that abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest.
The Omnibus survey of 690 men and women, aged 18-55, was conducted by Millward Brown Ulster, between 19 –29 September 2008. All research complied fully with the Market Research Society ethical Code of Conduct.