Victory - what victory?

An Australian study of 1,014 women found abused women had a higher incidence of two or more pregnancy terminations. Lack of commitment from a male partner, or physical, psychological and sexual violence, appear to be a major contributor to abortion.

So a woman, bullied and beaten down by abuse, a victim of coerced sex and a partner who will punish her more for being pregnant, goes to the clinic and is told, “Boy, have we got some good news for you!” and handed pills and a paper cup. And she better be grateful.

Abortion causing drugs like RU486 don’t change the circumstances women find themselves in. They help facilitate and perpetuate the social conditions that conspire against genuine choice. It’s just easier to throw pills at women than address the difficulties that find them on the abortion clinic step in the first place.

It wasn’t a “great day” for the daughters in other countries who died after taking RU486. Their parents don’t think they died victoriously (although Senator Lyn Allison seems to think a “few deaths” is a small price to pay).

The quaffers of champagne may soon have even more “good news” to share. Already there is pressure from an international consortium to free up over-the-counter sales of RU486 around the world. That could be the next step. Remember how the Therapeutic Goods Administration approved the “Morning After Pill” strictly on prescription alone? Not that long after, it opened up sale of this drug over the counter, removing important health safeguards for women.

If RU486 is a “victory” what language is left for something that would really be positive for women - like the choice to have a real live baby rather than an unwanted abortion?