Have Things Really Changed Since Northern Ireland Made Abortion Legal?

Abortion was made legal in Northern Ireland in 2019, but how much has really changed? Woman’s Own investigates

- Mishaal Khan

The subject of abortion has been a controversial one for decades, and nowhere more prominently than in Northern Ireland. While it was decriminalised in 1967 across England, Scotland and Wales for pregnancies up to 24 weeks, the change in law did not extend to Northern Ireland, where having or performing an abortion became a criminal offence in 1861.

The only circumstances under which it was ever considered was if the pregnant woman’s life was at risk, or there was a risk of permanent, serious damage to their mental or physical health.

For decades, many expectant mothers wanting an abortion found themselves having to travel to England, where it was legal, possible and safe.

While abortion was officially decriminalised in Northern Ireland in October 2019, that didn’t mean the end of the struggle. In most cases, only pregnancies up to 12 weeks would be eligible. And the reality is, there continues to be a lack of abortion services available to women, despite the law change.

Today, human rights campaigners are taking legal action against the Northern Ireland government for the failure to commission and fund abortion services. Pro-choice campaigner Naomi Connor shares her story with Woman’s Own.

‘The stigma attached was worse than I’d realised’

Naomi Connor, 49, lives in Belfast with her husband Ryan, 43, and is co-convener of charity Alliance for Choice. She has two daughters, aged 28 and 27.