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The fragility of de facto abortion on demand in New Zealand Aotearoa

  • Ann Weatherall
    ,
  • Allison McCulloch
Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 5 - Gender Equality
    SDG 5 Gender Equality
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Abstract

On the whole, women in New Zealand have good access to safe and affordable means to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Although seemingly ideal, the current situation is a fragile one. Under current legislation, abortion is criminalised and legal access to it relies on gaining the approval of two certifying consultant physicians. In this report, we provide an historical overview of the social and political influences shaping New Zealand’s current approach to abortion, considering the consequences of having abortion governed by criminal law. The situation in New Zealand is used to support a proposal that a pragmatic liberal feminist approach to abortion is best for women where it is a medical matter rather than a legal or moral one.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output:
Contribution to journal
Article
 Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 92-100

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Feminism and Psychology (Volume 27, Issue 1)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/02/2017

Publication status

Published - 01/02/2017

ISSN

0959-3535

Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/625725
  • Scopus: 85012893670

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