ABORTION LAW REFORM ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

1 May 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Launch of new pro-choice book tracks politics of movement in New Zealand

Last night Dr Alison McCulloch’s new book, Fighting to Choose: The Abortion Rights Struggle in New Zealand, was launched by Victoria University Press. McCulloch’s book provides an important insight into the key players in the struggle for abortion law reform in the 1970s and 1980s: the Women’s Liberation movement, key pro-choice organisations and the anti-choice campaign. She focuses particularly on the political atmosphere of the time and the germination of the Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act passed in 1977 based on the Royal Commission’s report.

Her comments at the launch highlighted the ongoing relevance of the pro-choice moment. McCulloch echoed the final chapter of the book, suggesting that there are important lessons to be learnt from the early struggle.

“The battles of the 70s and 80s taught us that abortion is about reproductive freedoms, something that will continuously require defending, and that this issue is fundamentally about women’s lives. The need to revitalize the movement and build up a network of support is imperative if we are to succeed at changing the current laws and protecting women’s reproductive rights. This is one of the reasons I have committed to touring around the country to engage with people on the issue,” she said.

Dame Margaret Sparrow, an icon of the pro-choice movement, also spoke at the launch last night. Dame Margaret, who has been involved in ALRANZ since its inception in 1971 and is the association’s immediate past president said, “In the last three decades there have been immense changes in New Zealand society and ALRANZ’s approach has changed with the times - from an initial emphasis on health and safety to a greater acceptance of women’s rights”.

Dr Morgan Healey, National President to ALRANZ, pointed out that even in New Zealand we are up against an anti-choice contingent that is well funded and well-connected and that the pro-choice voice needs to be a collective one.

“I certainly respect the multiplicity of perspectives that inform people’s positions on abortion, but I think the recent passage of the Marriage Equality Bill highlights that ensuring and upholding equal rights regardless of personal opinion is a core value held by many New Zealanders. The right to choose is about just that: trusting pregnant people to make decisions about their own bodies,” she said.

The launch was attended by multiple generations of ALRANZ and WONAAC (Women’s National Abortion Action Campaign) members, and other pro-choice supporters. Dr McCulloch will combine the publication of her book with a tour around the country called The Pro-Choice Highway, which will kick off in September 2013. Copies of the book are now available through the Victoria University Press bookstore.

See www.prochoicehighway.com for more information on the tour.

ENDS

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