challenges ni

News of the imminent attack on Roe v Wade in the USA is unsettling to pro-choice activists around the world. It reminds us that despite the perceived legal foundations reproductive rights may have, the struggle to retain and exercise these rights is on-going and not likely to end any time soon. With the Assembly elections scheduled for the 5th of May, many candidates are being questioned on a wide range of social and economic issues. The Alliance For Choice Derry group have u

The 1st of April 2020. A day that was expected to be historic, freeing and equal for the women of Northern Ireland. Instead it appears to be more of an April Fool’s. As of the 21st of October last year, abortion was decriminalised in this corner of the UK, aligning this country with the rest of the British Isles. Northern Ireland has been somewhat of a traditional country, but inside several months, dramatic political changes have been made. UUP MLA Robert Butler has said tha

In the continued absence of a devolved Assembly and Executive in Northern Ireland, the focus has shifted to Westminster in order to deal with Northern Irish matters. While these will mostly be economic decisions, such as the introduction of a budget, the contentious issues which are perpetuating the current Stormont deadlock are social ones, such as same-sex marriage, abortion and an Irish language act. MPs are reluctant to legislate on what are currently devolved matters, ho

I’m not that into activism. I know that may sound odd because who doesn’t like a good cause. Activists, you know the kind, their uniform consists of scratchy, uncomfortable-looking clothes and feminist slogan tees, all donning, try (too) hard, blunt-cut, ice-creamish, pastel coloured hair. You’ll hear their Doc Martens stomping, and drowning cries of ‘keep your rosaries off our ovaries’, before you see them, tree lovers who consider Stephen’s Green total wilderness. You know

The vague, over asked but under examined question. In early February this year, I remember sitting listening intently to an MLA give a speech on their career, public representation and political opinions. The topic of abortion was brought up, and I remember them clearly stating; “Since the introduction of the 1967 Act to the UK, there has been over 8 million abortions.” I sat back stunned, shook and furious. For two reasons. Firstly, I was listening to a male discuss an issue

There is one quote that always comes to mind when thinking about these issues: “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” (MLK Jnr) This remains true for Northern Ireland. What is the purpose of the PSNI? To protect? To uphold the law? I’m not convinced that the PSNI are using their resources as effectively as they could be. During a time of cuts to every part of the public sector, you would think that the work of the police force would reflect that, and not con

There is one quote that always comes to mind when thinking about these issues: “One has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws.” (MLK Jnr) This remains true for Northern Ireland. What is the purpose of the PSNI? To protect? To uphold the law? I’m not convinced that the PSNI are using their resources as effectively as they could be. During a time of cuts to every part of the public sector, you would think that the work of the police force would reflect that, and not con

​In the context of an uncertain border question, an absent Executive and the relentless denial of our right to choose, pregnant people in Northern Ireland find themselves falling through the cracks of our constitutional arrangement. As Irish and Northern Irish citizens we face explicit discrimination from our governments, whilst as part of the UK we’re treated as second class citizens. This denial of rights isn’t unique to Northern Ireland: South of the border, the UN has aff