Humanists attend First Minister’s summit on abortion care

June 27, 2022

Scottish Humanists have reacted to today’s abortion care summit hosted by the First Minister. Humanist Society Scotland chair, Professor Maggie Kinloch attended the summit alongside other campaigners who have called for urgent action to improve abortion care and protection for women from anti-abortion activists.

Professor Maggie Kinloch said on conclusion of the summit:

We are pleased that the First Minister gave a commitment to take national action on protecting women from harassment rather than rely simply on local authority action.

I also welcome the commitment from the Public Health Minister to take steps to improve second trimester access in Scotland that is currently woefully inadequate.

In addition our research unequivocally shows public backing for restricting protests that deliberately target individual healthcare service users. These protests are often orchestrated by ultra-conservative religious groups who believe a woman’s role in life is simply to be a mother.
Professor Maggie Kinloch, Chair of Humanist Society Scotland

Campaigners have been demanding urgent action to restrict harassment of women attending clinics for healthcare carried out by religious protestors. In January 2021 polling by Humanist Society Scotland showed that 82% of Scots demanded action from the Scottish Government.

Humanist Society Scotland asked for a commitment to introduce protest buffer zones outside as part of their 2021 Scottish Election manifesto sent to all Scottish Parliament candidates.