
The situation in Northern 
Ireland 
Abortion is legal in Northern Ireland but only in 
very restricted circumstances. Rape, incest and 
fetal abnormality are not grounds for an abortion. 
Women and girls resident in Northern Ireland with 
a crisis or unplanned pregnancy who decide to 
end their pregnancy have to travel to England 
and other European countries and pay for a 
private abortion. Despite being UK citizens they 
are not entitled to a free abortion in Britain unlike 
women resident in Britain. This presentation will 
explore the financial, practical and emotional 
consequences of this denial of sexual rights and 
the political dynamics which underpin this denial.