We join pro-choice demo on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2016

Humanist Society Scotland members and supporters joined with representatives from Abortion Rights Scotland and STUC Women’s Committee to outside The Scottish Parliament to show support for a woman’s right to choose.

The event took place on International Women’s Day, as the UK and Scottish Government prepare for control over abortion law to be devolved to The Scottish Parliament.

Speaking at the event, HSS spokesperson Linda Briton said:

“I’m a representative of Humanist Society Scotland, we are pro-choice, and support a woman’s right to choose what happens to her own body.

“I believe it is unethical to ban abortion because doing so denies freedom of choice to women and forces ‘the unwilling to bear the unwanted’. The majority of Scots recognise that every mother should be a ‘willing mother and every child a wanted child.’

“The Abortion Act has worked for 50 years, I was a young woman when it became law, and am proud live in a progressive society. I urge the Scottish Parliament to continue to support and encourage women to stand up for themselves, to have the freedom of choice in all areas of their lives.

“I believe that banning abortion violates a woman’s right to control her own body, it puts women at risk by forcing them to use illegal abortionists.

“I don’t know the reasons women choose to have an abortion, it is their choice, not for me, or anyone else, to judge them. We should give great consideration to their rights and needs – to do that, we need to support them in their choices, acknowledging they know what is best for them.”