Abortion in Northern Ireland has been decriminalised, after the laws changed at midnight. That means women and girls can terminate a pregnancy without fear of being prosecuted.The possibility of prosecution is also lifted from healthcare workers.In this interim period from now until March, those affected will continue to travel to England for medical terminations. Clock is ticking for NI abortion law NI abortion law found to breach human rights How many abortions are carried out in the UK? However, information can be shared and medical assistance provided for any women who have taken medication. The Department of Health, alongside a consultation, will be working with front line medical staff who deliver information and medical services to identify agreed policies and guidelines, which will bring services into line with the rest of the UK by 1 April 2020. While some are hailing this as a momentous change for women's human and reproductive rights, others are describing it as a … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland abortion law changes: What do they mean?
Northern Ireland abortion and and same-sex marriage law change deadline passes
Abortion has been decriminalised and same-sex marriage is to be legalised in Northern Ireland.Legislation making the changes - which was passed by MPs at Westminster - came into force at midnight.The first same-sex weddings in Northern Ireland are set to take place in February 2020.The government has until the end of March to come up with regulations for the provision of abortion services. NI parties fail in bid to stop abortion law change Reaction to failed bid to stop abortion law change As it happened - MLAs return to Stormont The legislation took effect after the 21 October deadline passed without a devolved government being re-formed.The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - and some politicians from other unionist parties - triggered a recall of the Northern Ireland Assembly in an attempt to block the lifting of a near-ban on terminations. The assembly at Stormont had not sat for more than 1,000 days after devolved government collapsed when power-sharing coalition partners the DUP … [Read more...] about Northern Ireland abortion and and same-sex marriage law change deadline passes
Children in care: Concerns over Llwynhendy home plans
A company planning to open a private home for looked after children has denied they plan to place young offenders at the property.Freshstart Care Ltd has submitted a planning application to house people between the ages of 11-18 in Llwynhendy, near Llanelli.Local people are protesting against the plans over concerns the property could be used to house young offenders.The company said there would be "a stringent referral process".The application for change of use is being strongly opposed by Carmarthenshire County Council, which will determine the outcome for the semi-detached property at Erw Las called Han y Bont. Freshstart Care Ltd said they would be housing "vulnerable, neglected and disadvantaged children, that are currently in local authority care" and would not be "accommodating children who are in the justice system".The local authority has already said that no children from Carmarthenshire would be housed at the proposed facility.In a written objection to the planning … [Read more...] about Children in care: Concerns over Llwynhendy home plans
Life skills should be taught in school, Youth Parliament says
Schools should teach more life skills to avoid producing "A* robots with no knowledge of the real world", the Welsh Youth Parliament has said.Its first major review suggested life skills such as dealing with grief and arranging a mortgage should be part of children's education.It called for the new curriculum to be amended on the basis of its findings. The Welsh Government agreed life skills were important and the new curriculum would develop "capable learners". Education Minister Kirsty Williams will address the recommendations when the Youth Parliament meets on Friday.The report identified "large gaps" in the life skills being taught in schools as well as too much emphasis on exams. "We currently leave school with a handful of skills but no knowledge on how to speak in public, clean, maintain healthy relationships, buy cars, apply for mortgages, road safety, and many other skills that are needed to succeed in life", it said.What do young people think?More than 2,500 young people were … [Read more...] about Life skills should be taught in school, Youth Parliament says
Viewpoint: Let’s not wait any longer for the male pill
Scientists have been working on the male contraceptive pill for almost half a century.Yet despite encouraging news reports, an over-the-counter version is not just around the corner.Lack of funding and presumed disinterest from men means that one has never been mass produced. Instead, women are still generally expected to take responsibility for not getting pregnant.However, research suggests many men would embrace the pill if it was available. A third of sexually active British men say they would consider using hormonal contraception, such as the pill or the implant. This is the same percentage of British women who currently use such medication. Eight out of 10 people in the survey said contraception should be a shared responsibility.Meanwhile, 77% of sexually active American men aged 18-44 surveyed are "very or somewhat" interested in trying out a male contraceptive other than condoms or vasectomy. So, could public acceptance, alongside a relaxation of gender roles, lead to the male … [Read more...] about Viewpoint: Let’s not wait any longer for the male pill