Thatcher share a belief in a long lost golden age when families were happy and united and everyone knew their place, especially women and children. Such an age never existed of course.
poverty to work, little girls were sold into prostitution, servants who got pregnant were thrown onto the streets and unwanted babies were abandoned or drowned. Mrs Gillick would have been lucky to have survived ten pregnancies with all her children alive and well. Neither she nor Mrs Thatcher would have had the vote. Mrs Gillick would not have been able to make use of the courts without money of her own.
Thanks to hard fought battles by the working class and by women, we've come long way since nen. But respect, we are still in the Victorian age. Women still have little say over what happens to their own bodies is true that confreely Laccollull available to all - unless under yUl course. Mrs Gillick, young women are once again seen as the Droperty of their parents regardless whether those parents are caring or HUL.
Her campaign similar to those which have been conducted 1n the United States, where number of states have passed "Family Laws' which put children firmly their parents' states that means under 18 Calliol oolalll (U11traception abortion without parental permission.
Some of those states have also outlawed sex education. At the same time, pump out heavily distorted pictures of sexuality, leaving young people confused and ignorant.
In York schools voung women go to school armed with guns against possible their lauc school fellows on or off the premises. Enoch Powell and Mrs In Victorian times small children were forced by The organisations have led the campaign against sex the naive about their bodies will lead youngsters mto promisculty. Parents Young women in this are loday al lne of their parents.
Mrs Gillick's victory in the Appeal Court preventing doctors prescribing even advising about conwill not SLUD them having sex. If they get pregnant, it is for their parents to decide, with the doctor, if they can have an abortion.
But for all women the decision as to whether or not to nave an aboron Is not theirs to make. Abortion is stil legal under a law of 1868 and the Abortion Act of 1967 requires that two doctors make the decision - they determine who are 'fit' mothers - ner cnoice 1s secondary.
For young women, used to modern methods of contraception and believis relatively easy to get, the of fighting to maintain what few rights we have and to extend inose rignts may not seem to be a priority. But for 'Woman in White Stockings' by Suzanne Valadon whose paintings completely broke the mould of female subjection. opposition to women having control of their bodies and being allowed to express their sexuality freely. four years — from 1975 to we fought after battle to prevent the being destrovcu. WC al C having to fight the same What Powell and Gillick share is complete OPPOSE THE POWELL BILL! MASS LOT Although women who have children must be able to take a tull part in socie 1y, the ability to determine when have children central if achieve liberation and equality.
It is hard for us now to realise like inıs abilly al all, altnoug! it is only 50 years ago that LICi movement were fighting for family planning clinics and the right to contraception. A few brave souls even then also argued for abortion. Meantime women spent weeks wages on pills that were more likely to kill them than give an abortion Thanks to advances in modern medicine, we will not return to those days even if abortion becomes again the Powells and Gillicks of the have their way women will once again be forced into illegality creasing the risks to their health and making them feel gulity furtive Again the poor will suffer the most.
We have had to fight long hard battles to retain our limited rights. We should now b fighting to extend them Instead yet again we are having to defend them. It is important that we do not take our we do they will disappear. That t why we must support th campaig against Powe and Gillict RIGHTS GIVEN TO EMBRYOS MEAN RIGHTS TAKEN