Written submission from Mrs Joyce McDonagh (ANI0284)
I believe that life begins at conception and that as a society we have a responsibility to protect and nurture each life. Indeed the most fundamental human right is the right to life, and we need to protect this right for the most vulnerable human beings in our society - the unborn babies. Women do not have the ‘right’ to have an abortion.
I know that many people call for ‘choice’. My response is that in most cases they do have choice - but that that choice comes earlier, when men and women choose to have sexual intercourse without adequate contraception.
Something that I think is seldom talked about is the long-term mental and emotional effects on women who undergo an abortion. Abortion is seen as a quick fix but the woman is often left with, for example, guilt and consequent depression.
The reality of what happens during an abortion is often glossed over. In one campaign, many supporters of abortion, who were shown a video of how an abortion is performed, changed their minds when they realised the brutality of what is done to the baby.
There needs to be more support for pregnant women who are considering an abortion, including information on having the child adopted.
I live in Northern Ireland and I support the current law on abortion here. Westminster should not attempt to override the 2016 decision of our elected representatives.