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MLA Liz Kimmins has said the passing of important legislation to establish safe access zones outside healthcare clinics is a progressive step forward. The Newry and Armagh representative also paid tribute to the Supporting Women Newry group for being 'steadfast in their commitment to standing up for women week in, week out'
The Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Bill had been brought forward by Green Party MLA Clare Bailey and passed 55/29.. Several MLA's spoke out against the Bill and group Precious Life have said they will launch a legal challenge.
Speaking after the vote a Spokesperson for Supporting Women Newry said "Today is a momentous day for women. We now have Safe Passage to Healthcare. We know that the work continues as we need to see the implementation of the law. Thank you so, so much for your support. This could not have happened without the hard work of you all.
"Those who spoke, from the Alliance party, the SDLP and People Before Profit and Trevor Linn , Independent, thank you. But our special thanks and gratitude go to our local MLA Liz Kimmins of Sinn Fein and the wonderful Clare Bailey of the Green party."
After the passing of the Bill Ms Kimmins said “Today we passed important legislation to establish safe access zones outside healthcare clinics to protect women.
“There has been a concerted campaign of intimidation and harassment against patients accessing their right to healthcare over recent months.
“No one should be faced with the type of disturbing imagery which has been displayed at these protests – patients and healthcare workers should be protected.
“This is a progressive step forward which will provide safe access zones for people seeking health care.”
During the debate she said "I, too, will speak in full support of the Bill at its Final Stage. Despite the protracted attempts of others to block progressive change this week, if the Bill passes today, it will be another momentous day in the Assembly. It will be a day on which we send a strong message that we are committed to protecting women from abuse and intimidation; that we are standing up for women at one of the most vulnerable times in their life; and that we are listening to the resounding calls from across the North that women have the right to access healthcare safely and free from intimidation and harassment.
The Newry and Armagh MLA added "I, too, thank Clare Bailey for bringing forward the Bill and congratulate her on pursuing it to the end, which has been a very challenging task. I also thank all the women who contacted me and shared their personal stories, some of which were very harrowing. I thank them for trusting me with those stories. They included women who are patients, women who are staff, women who are parents and women who have just encountered these protests when going about their daily lives. Those protests have had a significant impact on them, and they want to see this change made."
Paying tribute to Newry group Supporting Women Newry she added "Finally, I pay tribute to Cara, Fiona, Angela and Sharon and the whole Supporting Women Newry group. For almost two years now, they have been steadfast in their commitment to standing up for women week in, week out and to trying to support women when they are accessing John Mitchel Place in Newry and Daisy Hill Hospital. I hope that their efforts have not been in vain."
Ms Kimmins concluded "Today, we have an opportunity to ensure that never again will women have to run the gauntlet of protesters when trying to access healthcare or when going to their work. I sincerely hope that Members across the House will make the right decision to show that we take the rights of women seriously, that we respect women's choices and that we are serious about our commitment to tackling violence and abuse against women and girls."
The Supporting Women Newry Spokesperson added "Yesterday saw an attempt by political unionism and the evangelical right to prevent Clare Bailey of the Green party from getting her bill for Safe Zones brought forward. Clare, and indeed our Liz Kimmins MLA, has worked tirelessly to highlight the abuse and intimidation that is experienced by staff, patients and visitors to our health and social care facilities. The majority of people are solidly behind people being unimpeded when accessing healthcare and hopefully come Thursday, the bill will be passed into legislation.
"Supporting Women Newry will not be reticent in thanking those local political representatives who have stood with us. Nor will we be slow to call out those who have steadfastly refused to give the people of Newry their support in the face of unrelenting harassment. Especially those who will be seeking votes in a few weeks."
