15 June 2009

The first ever short film about the plight of Northern Irish women needing an abortion ‘Discrimination and Denial: Abortion Law in Northern Ireland’ is being premiered in Northern Ireland today. Funded and produced by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), Discrimination and Denial is a powerful documentary exposing what happens to women in Northern Ireland with a crisis pregnancy. The event is hosted by fpa (Family Planning Association) a member of IPPF.

Dr Audrey Simpson OBE, fpa’s Director of Northern Ireland will be introducing the screening held at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action. Dawn Purvis MLA and representatives from professional health bodies, student unions, trade unions, and the voluntary sector will be in the audience.

Interviews with leading Northern Irish health professionals and politicians feature throughout the 12 minute documentary. These interviews illustrate how difficult it is not just for women, but for health professionals trying to provide quality healthcare within a state that does not recognise and provide access to legal and safe abortion.

Dr Audrey Simpson OBE, Director of fpa in Northern Ireland said:

“The Northern Ireland Assembly is in a state of paralysis and denial about abortion. We hope this incredible, powerful film empowers and energises people to demand that the Assembly reverses the dire situation they have created for women. Two thirds of people in Northern Ireland support abortion in cases of incest and rape [1], but the Assembly refuses to listen to them.”

A new leaflet, ‘Abortion rights are human rights’ is also being launched at the screening event which will include speeches and panel discussions. Based on international human rights and IPPFs declaration on sexual rights, the leaflet examines these universally accepted entitlements and applies them to the situation regarding abortion in Northern Ireland.

Vicky Claeys, Regional Director (EN) of International Planned Parenthood Federation, funders and producers of the film and leaflet, said:

“Women in Northern Ireland are voting with their feet, and as many as 40 women leave the country each and every week to access safe abortion services in another European country. It is disgraceful that they are forced to do so; it is an even greater disgrace that politicians continue to discriminate against the women of Northern Ireland whose interests they are supposed to represent.”

Information for Journalists:

1. Watch the film
The film directed by award winning journalist Nancy Platt can be watched online here:
www.ippf.org/en/Resources/Films/Discrimination+and+Denial.htm
or here:
http://vimeo.com/5109185

2. Interviews
Interviews with Dr Audrey Simpson, Director of fpa in Northern Ireland can be arranged. Contact:

• fpa’s press office on 020 7608 5265/5264 mobile 07958 921060
• Dr Audrey Simpson on 028 90 316 102 or mobile 07985 382 702

Interviews with Vicky Claeys Regional Director (EN) of International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) can be arranged. Contact:

• Paul Bell at IPPF press office on pbell@ippf.org or mobile 07799 335533

3. Film premier details
The film screening on Monday 15 June starts at 10:30am, the event finishes at 12pm. It is held at the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast.

Attendance is strictly by invitation only, but journalists are welcome to attend the screening and/or the premier event. Please contact fpa’s Press Office 020 7608 5265/5264.

4. Further information
Jpegs and copies of the ‘Abortion rights are human rights’ leaflet are available on request from fpa’s Press Office 020 7608 5265/5264.

Further information on fpa (Family Planning Association) at www.fpa.org.uk.

Further information on the International Planned Parenthood Federation at www.ippf.org.

     -ENDS-

fpa (Family Planning Association) is the only registered charity working to improve the sexual health and reproductive rights of all people throughout the UK.

About the press office

Notes to Editors:

62% of Northern Irish people polled responded that abortion should be legal in cases of rape or incest. The Omnibus survey of 690 men and women, aged 18-55, was conducted by Millward Brown Ulster, between 19–29 September 2008.  All research complied fully with the Market Research Society ethical Code of Conduct.