Abortion is not a dormant issue in Australia. Emily's List realises that
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Version 0 of 1. I was incredulous as I read Kristina Keneally’s column on Tuesday, not just as a long-term member of and national co-oordinator of Emily’s List, but also as a Christian. I am heavily involved in the Uniting Church and the ecumenical movement in Australia, so I know many people whose faith encourages them to be anti-abortion, but who choose nonetheless to be pro-choice. Related: It's time to take women's ovaries out of politics. Yes, even you, Emily's List | Kristina Keneally Why? Because they know that difficult decisions some women make about their reproductive health should only be between a woman and her doctor. No-one else. It is not about being pro- or anti-life. It’s about being pro-women’s individual right to choose. Keneally is entitled to choose how she lives her beliefs and to argue for them. She is not entitled to impose her views on others. Until Emily’s List and other pro-choice groups began campaigning in Australia, this is what some politicians did – attempt to limit women’s choices; limit their capacity to make decisions about their lives, their bodies and the way they practice their faith. Emily’s List supports women in a number of ways. We want to see an increase in the number of women in Australian parliaments so that they can advocate for a range of issues important to Australian women – equality, diversity, pay equity, affordable child care and reproductive choice. That is what we do and have done since our inception in 1996. Our work means that some women who don’t agree with our stance on reproductive choice, nonetheless benefit from our advocacy on affirmative action. Keneally wrote: “most female MPs will spend an entire parliamentary career without needing to vote on or consider the issue of abortion”. For political gain, some politicians seem intent on making women’s bodies a battleground I remind her that in her home state of NSW, Fred Nile has informed the parliament that he intends to re-introduce laws that will severely penalise women who choose to terminate a pregnancy. There was a similar discussion in South Australia recently. We have seen abortion law reform in 2013 in Tasmania and changes to the availability and cost of RU486 in our federal parliament. In each of these cases, it was pro-choice women and men who fought hard for the community, to ensure that the views of a minority were not imposed on others. For political gain, some politicians seem intent on making women’s bodies a battleground. This is what Emily’s List fights so hard against. Emily’s List knows when there are more women in the caucus and cabinet (whenever Labor is in government, thanks to affirmative action) policies and legislation overwhelmingly benefit women, children and the vulnerable in our society. Between 2007 and 2013, Emily’s List supported members played a key role in passing paid parental leave, reforms for carers and national domestic violence strategy. Related: Abortion is a medical procedure. The reality of those often isn't pleasant | Jessica Valenti Thankfully, many women within the Labor party who choose to be anti-choice – and they have a right to – understand that on other issues important to women, Emily’s List is an ally. Women from the left, right and centre of the party are supporting affirmative action reform, lifting the target to 50% and introducing stronger protections for it. This is the problem when former politicians comment on a space that they know longer are involved in, or understand. They risk appearing out of touch and foolish. Emily’s List is not a part of the ALP, it is a separate, incorporated body – set up specifically to support progressive women who agree with our core values. We will continue to support women into our parliaments and we make no apology for doing so, nor being extremely successful in this work. |