There may finally be a way to stop abuse by anti-abortion protesters| Rupa Huq

A London council may extend asbo powers to deal with those who harass women as they enter NHS services, in a move that could be replicated across the country

Ostensibly, women’s rights have long been enshrined in law; the purpose of the 1970 Equal Pay Act is self-explanatory. The Equality Act of 2010 in theory outlawed male colleagues’ wandering hands by legislating against workplace harassment. But reality often jars with legal niceties.

Reproductive rights are one area where parity is far off, and you don’t need to go far to witness women being subjected to open, regular abuse. Intimidation occurs daily outside family planning clinics nationwide, in increasingly virulent protests by the so-called religious, aimed at stopping women having abortions. Women in Ealing have had to put up with this over at least three decades. As its MP I want to do something about it so women can access services provided by the NHS, free from fear and intimidation.

Related: US-style abortion battles loom in UK amid claims of intimidation

This is about women’s security: every woman deserves to be able to go about her life in safety

Continue reading... October 10, 2017 at 06:00PM