Source: MIL-OSI Submissions
Source: Family Planning
—
35 organisations have signed an open letter in support of abortion law reform which has this morning been sent to all Parliamentarians. The letter reflects strong support for abortion law reform across the social and health sectors.
The second reading of the Abortion Legislation Bill is scheduled to take place today (Tuesday 3 March).
To all Members of Parliament
In support of abortion law reform and a more compassionate healthcare system
As organisations and services working for the health, safety, rights, and wellbeing of New Zealanders, we strongly support the passage of the Abortion Legislation Bill.
At its core, this Bill is about supporting women and pregnant people’s autonomy, dignity and wellbeing.
A woman knows what makes sense for her health, her body and her future. She should be enabled to control her healthcare decisions. Health professionals must be able to provide their patients with the best care possible without unnecessary barriers.
Our current abortion laws – unchanged since 1977 – are out of date and not fit for purpose.
They create unacceptable barriers to healthcare access; and in doing so increase the distress, delay and financial burden faced by someone who seeks to end a pregnancy. They also result in inequitable access to timely abortion services, particularly for women living in rural areas, people who already have limited access to healthcare, and people who are affected by physical and sexual violence.
We write to record our strong and united support for the Abortion Legislation Bill as a
sensible framework for safe, legal and compassionate access to abortion care.
As the Members of Parliament who will determine whether or not this Bill becomes law, we urge you to vote yes for a more compassionate healthcare system in New Zealand.
In support of abortion law reform and a more compassionate healthcare system
As organisations and services working for the health, safety, rights, and wellbeing of New Zealanders, we strongly support the passage of the Abortion Legislation Bill.
At its core, this Bill is about supporting women and pregnant people’s autonomy, dignity and wellbeing.
A woman knows what makes sense for her health, her body and her future. She should be enabled to control her healthcare decisions. Health professionals must be able to provide their patients with the best care possible without unnecessary barriers.
Our current abortion laws – unchanged since 1977 – are out of date and not fit for purpose.
They create unacceptable barriers to healthcare access; and in doing so increase the distress, delay and financial burden faced by someone who seeks to end a pregnancy. They also result in inequitable access to timely abortion services, particularly for women living in rural areas, people who already have limited access to healthcare, and people who are affected by physical and sexual violence.
We write to record our strong and united support for the Abortion Legislation Bill as a
sensible framework for safe, legal and compassionate access to abortion care.
As the Members of Parliament who will determine whether or not this Bill becomes law, we urge you to vote yes for a more compassionate healthcare system in New Zealand.
Signatories:
1. Family Planning – Jackie Edmond, Chief Executive
2. Te Whāriki Takapou – Dr Alison Green, Chief Executive
3. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
(RANZCOG) – Dr Celia Devenish, Chair Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku and Dr John Tait, Vice President
4. Abortion Providers Group Aotearoa New Zealand (APGANZ)
5. Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko i te Ora Maori Women’s Welfare League Inc – Prue
Kapua, National President
6. New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health – Dr Jo Lambert, Deputy
Chair
7. Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa (MEDSAC) – Dr Min Lo, Chairperson
8. New Zealand College of Midwives / Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa –
Alison Eddy, Chief Executive
9. New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) – Memo Musa, Chief Executive
10. Women’s Refuge – Dr Ang Jury, Chief Executive
11. Women’s Health Action – Isis McKay, General Manager
12. Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) – Terry Bellamak,
President
13. National Council of Women New Zealand (NCWNZ) – Lisa Lawrence, President
14. Ara Taiohi, Matekino Marshall (Kaihautū)
15. Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW)- Lucy SandfordReed, Chief Executive
16. New Zealand Women’s Law Journal – Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a ngā Wāhine –
Josie Te Rata, Editor-in-Chief
17. Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association – Steph Dyhrberg, Convenor
18. Korowai Youth Well-Being Trust (running the 298 Youth One Stop Shop) – Dame Sue
Bagshaw DNZM, Chair
19. The Collaborative Trust – Steve Langley, Chair
20. UNICEF New Zealand – Vivien Maidaborn, Executive Director
21. Amnesty International Aotearoa – Meg de Ronde, Executive Director
22. New Zealand Prostitutes Collective – Dame Catherine Healy DNZM, National Coordinator
23. Public Health Association of New Zealand, Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui – Dr Prudence
Stone, Chief Executive
24. New Zealand AIDS Foundation – Jason Myers, Chief Executive
25. Positive Women Inc. – Jane Bruning ONZM, National Coordinator
26. Social Workers for Choice – Liz Beddoe, Professor of Social Work
27. UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand – Suzanne McNabb, President
28. Pacific Women’s Watch New Zealand – Mrs Denise Te Tuhi Ewe, Chair
29. New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Women’s Council – Rachel Mackintosh, CTU
Vice President
30. Federation of Women’s Health Councils Aotearoa New Zealand – Barbara Robson and Barbara Holland, Co-convenors
31. New Zealand Association of Counsellors – Christine Macfarlane, President
32. Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand – Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive, and Zoe Aroha Hawke, Manager, Policy & Advocacy, Community Engagement & Health Promotion
33. New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS) Incorporated – Dr Julia Scott, President
34. Te Hā o Hine-ahu-one Palmerston North Women’s Health Collective – Jean Hera,
Manager and Community Health Worker
35. Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse (ŌCASA) – Larissa Hinds, Crisis Support
Worker & Collective Member
1. Family Planning – Jackie Edmond, Chief Executive
2. Te Whāriki Takapou – Dr Alison Green, Chief Executive
3. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
(RANZCOG) – Dr Celia Devenish, Chair Te Kāhui Oranga ō Nuku and Dr John Tait, Vice President
4. Abortion Providers Group Aotearoa New Zealand (APGANZ)
5. Te Ropu Wahine Maori Toko i te Ora Maori Women’s Welfare League Inc – Prue
Kapua, National President
6. New Zealand College of Sexual and Reproductive Health – Dr Jo Lambert, Deputy
Chair
7. Medical Sexual Assault Clinicians Aotearoa (MEDSAC) – Dr Min Lo, Chairperson
8. New Zealand College of Midwives / Te Kāreti o ngā Kaiwhakawhānau ki Aotearoa –
Alison Eddy, Chief Executive
9. New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) – Memo Musa, Chief Executive
10. Women’s Refuge – Dr Ang Jury, Chief Executive
11. Women’s Health Action – Isis McKay, General Manager
12. Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand (ALRANZ) – Terry Bellamak,
President
13. National Council of Women New Zealand (NCWNZ) – Lisa Lawrence, President
14. Ara Taiohi, Matekino Marshall (Kaihautū)
15. Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW)- Lucy SandfordReed, Chief Executive
16. New Zealand Women’s Law Journal – Te Aho Kawe Kaupapa Ture a ngā Wāhine –
Josie Te Rata, Editor-in-Chief
17. Wellington Women Lawyers’ Association – Steph Dyhrberg, Convenor
18. Korowai Youth Well-Being Trust (running the 298 Youth One Stop Shop) – Dame Sue
Bagshaw DNZM, Chair
19. The Collaborative Trust – Steve Langley, Chair
20. UNICEF New Zealand – Vivien Maidaborn, Executive Director
21. Amnesty International Aotearoa – Meg de Ronde, Executive Director
22. New Zealand Prostitutes Collective – Dame Catherine Healy DNZM, National Coordinator
23. Public Health Association of New Zealand, Kāhui Hauora Tūmatanui – Dr Prudence
Stone, Chief Executive
24. New Zealand AIDS Foundation – Jason Myers, Chief Executive
25. Positive Women Inc. – Jane Bruning ONZM, National Coordinator
26. Social Workers for Choice – Liz Beddoe, Professor of Social Work
27. UN Women Aotearoa New Zealand – Suzanne McNabb, President
28. Pacific Women’s Watch New Zealand – Mrs Denise Te Tuhi Ewe, Chair
29. New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Women’s Council – Rachel Mackintosh, CTU
Vice President
30. Federation of Women’s Health Councils Aotearoa New Zealand – Barbara Robson and Barbara Holland, Co-convenors
31. New Zealand Association of Counsellors – Christine Macfarlane, President
32. Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand – Shaun Robinson, Chief Executive, and Zoe Aroha Hawke, Manager, Policy & Advocacy, Community Engagement & Health Promotion
33. New Zealand Sexual Health Society (NZSHS) Incorporated – Dr Julia Scott, President
34. Te Hā o Hine-ahu-one Palmerston North Women’s Health Collective – Jean Hera,
Manager and Community Health Worker
35. Ōtepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse (ŌCASA) – Larissa Hinds, Crisis Support
Worker & Collective Member
