A woman's place

Added on 16/12/2008

Equality for women is still a major issue and one that should cause concern for universities that are attempting to widen participation, a UK-wide agenda today. Yet, at the University of London, it seems, they may have lost sight of this.

Their decision to allow a Miss University Contest has caused controversy, by allowing an outside entertainments company to pay male students to judge women competitors on their looks. Women have by no means acheived equality in the workplace, society, or even education, so it is important we protect the "fragile gains" won by feminism.

Read the full article

Mooncups and pregnancy testing kits now approved by NUSSL

Added on 02/12/2008

After some negotiating we’re happy to announce that Mooncups & pregnancy testing kits are now listed by NUSSL.

National Women's Officer Katie Curtis says "This is great news for women in students' unions up and down the country, who will be able to access these vital products more easily than before. It's something that the Women's Campaign has asking for this year and it's good to finally get a breakthrough and get the products listed - it's now up to students' unions to get them on their shelves."

For more information on how to get these stocked in your local students' union please contact NUS Services Customer Services on 01625413222 or customerservices@nussl.co.uk. If you are not a purchasing member of NUS Services, they will be able to direct you to the supplier.

Pump Aid for women

Added on 10/11/2008

International charity Pump Aid is holding a debate, “Why are women and girls still dying for the toilet”, on November 12. NUS’ Women’s Officer Katie Curtis will speak at the event, alongside John Robertson, MP and secretary of the APPG on water and sanitation and Ian Thorpe, chief executive of Pump Aid.

"Women and girls disproportionately suffer where there is no drinking water or inadequate sanitation facilities. We fight for women’s rights around the world. Access to sanitation, the most basic of human rights, is a major barrier for women who must ultimately make the choice between clean water, a lack of which can lead to premature death, and their education,” says Katie.

The choice should be yours

Added on 16/10/2008

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill goes through its final stages in parliament next week. Pro-choice campaigners will oppose any restrictions on women’s rights to abortion.

NUS is amongst the campaigners and will unite against MPs who try to take women’s rights away.

Pro-choice is the political and ethical view that a woman has control over her fertility and the choice to continue or terminate a pregnancy. This includes access to sex education, contraception and safe and legal abortion.

But not everyone agrees that women have the right to choose. Anti-abortion MPs are set to restrict women’s abortion rights when the Bill is voted on next Wednesday (22 October), despite the anti-abortion amendment to lower the time limit from 24 weeks being thrown out earlier in the year.

NUS believes women should always have the right to choose and is working with Abortion Rights UK to ensure next week’s Bill is defeated. Research shows that eighty-three per cent of women believe it is a woman’s right to choose. Abortion Rights UK believes the law should reflect that majority.

The right decision
One woman who is glad she had the right to choose is Amy (not her real name). Amy was raped when she was 20. Soon after her ordeal, she discovered she was pregnant.

“A man had sex with me whilst I slept, thinking that some drunken flirting in a club that night meant he could do so,” recalls Amy. “When I woke up and asked him to stop he didn't. Eleven weeks later I was pregnant.

“I immediately asked my doctor to arrange an abortion. She did ask me if I wanted to think about it, and informed me of the support available if I wanted to go through with the pregnancy, but I was certain I wanted an abortion.” Amy, who is now 23, says despite the stigma attached to abortion, she knows she made the right decision.

“There was a stigma attached that made me feel like a tart, but once I went to the clinic and met the other women there I had a clearer view on it. Some of the women there were married and pushing 50...they weren't tarts.

“I'm glad I had the choice and that I went through with it. I'm living an amazing life full of adventure and I couldn't do that if I'd not had the abortion.” Amy was lucky to have the support of her doctor and her friends and family but not everyone does. And with little information available for women who are considering an abortion, the choice becomes even harder. But, as Amy is keen to point out, you are not alone. “There is always someone you can turn to, and if it's not a friend then there are support networks that you can get in touch with.”

Amy’s story highlights why women should have the right to choose, a right NUS and Abortion Rights UK will continue to fight for.

Help defeat the Bill:

Abortion Rights will be protesting outside parliament on Tuesday 21 October from 5.30pm. NUS will be supporting the protest - you can join us or write a letter to your MP. More information on how you can support a woman’s right to choose can be found on the Abortion Rights website.

Victory for progressives on abortion and same sex couples

Added on 21/05/2008

NUS, through the Women’s and LGBT campaigns, won key victories for both women and lesbian couples yesterday (20 May) when parliament voted in our favour on abortion-rights and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

Legislation proposing to reduce the legal time limit for abortion from 24 weeks to either 12, 16, 20 or 22 weeks was defeated and legislation proposing to obstruct same sex couples from accessing IVF treatment was also.

NUS’ Women’s and LGBT Campaigns are delighted that their long-term campaigning to defend and extend the rights of women and LGBT people has paid off.

NUS Women’s Officer Kat Stark said “Students should feel proud of themselves because we have worked hard, in our unions, on our campuses and with our MPs in the run up to the vote on Tuesday. The lobbying, demonstrating and campaigning work that women’s officers have led on has had national impact and we have successfully defended a woman’s right to choose.

”Students should also feel proud of the impact they have had in defeating homophobic attempts to block same-sex couples, and single women, from having children.

”From listening to the debates in the House of Commons on Tuesday, it is clear that there is still widespread sexism and homophobia in parliament today. We need to make sure that we continue to campaign to eradicate ignorance and discrimination in parliament and in society – let this victory fuel us as we go forward in our fight for equality for all.”

Pro-choice support came from a wide breadth of people.

Jo Brand, the comedian said
"This time limit argument is a total red herring. It's the same old anti-abortionists with their anti-women agenda, making up the science as they go along. MPs should have no truck with it."

Christine McCafferty, Labour MP said
"There has been no significant improvement in the survival of babies born before 24 weeks gestation over the last 12 years, despite medical advances. If the current limit were reduced, it would have an adverse impact on the very small number of women or girls, who do seek late abortions."

Dr Evan Harris, Liberal Democrat MP said
"There has been a campaign of misinformation, assertion and irrelevant information about the abortion time limit led by very well funded organisations opposed to all abortion. Sadly, the evidence shows that it simply isn't the case that wanted babies born below 24 weeks are more likely to survive. It is a cruel deception on parents with pre-term babies. It would be astonishing if Parliament took a view against the united approach of all the relevant medical institutions."

Robert Key, Conservative MP said
"I am a member of the general synod of the Church of England. A recent Church of England briefing to MPs said that any support for campaigns to change the abortion law would be on the proviso that such measures were evidence based. I am yet to be convinced that lowering from 24 weeks would significantly reduce the abortion rate and I believe there are alternative answers. I think the answer is a massive advance in responsible sex education."

Julie Bentley, Chief Executive fpa (Family Planning Association) said
"The few women who need later abortion are the hardest cases - very vulnerable women in incredibly difficult circumstances. Some women don't recognise the symptoms of pregnancy, sometimes because of poor sex education - they believe the myths, like you can't get pregnant if you're a virgin. People don't make these decisions lightly and women do need the time to make that decision."

Wendy Savage, Doctors for A Woman's Choice on Abortion said
"As one of the few doctors who has performed later abortion in Britain, I know how difficult the cases are. In one case, after 1990, I had a call from A and E about a young 17 year old, 26 weeks pregnant who had been held captive as a domestic worker, raped by her boss and was going to kill herself if her pregnancy wasn't ended. I hope that right, logic and evidence will prevail amongst MPs."

Louise Hutchins, Abortion Rights Campaign Coordinator said
"Nadine Dorries MP's crusade to turn back the clock on women's reproductive rights shows an appalling disregard for women and the difficult circumstances that they sometimes face. Lowering the time limit would be devastating for this small number of women and force some to continue with a pregnancy against their will - causing long term psychological and physical harm, others will travel abroad for a later abortion if they can afford to and others, will risk a dangerous illegal back-street option. MPs need to understand that women will be watching very carefully how MPs vote on Tuesday. We are protesting to make sure women's voices are heard loud and clear to defend 24 weeks."