The Government should take action to ensure that the recession does not increase the risk of crisis pregnancy
22 Jul 2010
Responding to the Crisis Pregnancy Agency Report the Irish Congress of Trade Unions today called on Government to recognise that the recession is affecting all areas of workers lives.
'For many families are under serious financial pressure, every euro counts and in these circumstances the cost of contraception can be considerable. There are specific groups of workers for whom cost of contraception is acting as a barrier including younger men and women and those in occupations who have lower than average incomes and those who have lost their jobs but are not yet entitled to a medical card' says Esther Lynch, Congress Legislation and Social Affairs Officer.
Ms Lynch went on to call on Government to take a strategic focus and to ensure that the recession does not increase the stress and risk of crisis pregnancy.
'What is needed is action on initiatives aimed at preventing crisis pregnancy and at improving the supports for those who do experience a crisis pregnancy. The harsh reality is that every day 12 women travel to the UK to access safe and legal services. It is difficult to anticipate what will be the impact of the recession, women will still be in need of abortion services but will not be able to afford them. They should, as a matter of international law, be able to access services.'
'Human Rights and human decency means that the government should take its obligations to women seriously. This means making contraception affordable, protecting workers against pregnancy discrimination at work and the immediate decriminalisation of abortion for women along with the development of a new national regulatory framework to guarantee access to legal abortion and the proper regulation of agencies in Ireland.'
For further information contact:
Esther Lynch on 01 8897777 or 087 2222401 (after 7pm)
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