The author petitioned the UK Government to decriminalise abortion, which garnered over 100,000 signatures, leading to a parliamentary debate. Tonia Antoniazzi’s amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill for decriminalisation passed. The author attended the debate, witnessing disinformation from MPs, particularly Jim Shannon, who made exaggerated claims about the consequences of decriminalisation.
The article critiques the anti-abortion rhetoric that connects abortion with the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, suggesting that it perpetuates racist and antisemitic narratives. It argues that claims of increasing sex-selective abortions are unfounded, citing studies that refute these stereotypes and highlight the nuanced realities within families.
The article further discusses the use of “woman-protective framing” by anti-abortion campaigners, positing that their true aim is to restrict access to abortions rather than protect women’s interests. The author questions the validity of the belief that women would make such decisions lightly and criticizes some gender-critical activists, like Kathleen Stock, for their alignment with anti-abortion messaging. Ultimately, the writer expresses confidence in women’s autonomy over their own bodies.
