Right to choose
LSE Student's Union currently has a 'Right to Choose' fund in place to support women students who fall pregnant. The fund is in place so that women are able to assess all of their available options, and make the choice that is best for them. The fund provides an invaluable service to women who find themselves in a very difficult situation. The fund can provide financial assistance for women who wish to have a termination by covering the cost of a visit to a private clinic, so that women can avoid being placed on a waiting list in the health service. The fund is equally in place to support women who wish to continue with their pregnancy, and thus the same figure is given to women who chose not to have a termination.
A woman's right to choose is well supported nationally - 76%. Despite this, women's legal rights to abortion are under particular attack at the moment in Britian and in the world. There have been several sensationalist stories in the media that have created a climate of mis-information around the issue. The current legislation is also being challenged, with a private members bill due to be heard on the 21st October that willl outlaw abortion except in the most extreme circumstances. Last year, the Union passed policy in opposition of George Bush's Global Gag rule. This legislation has meant hundreds of millions of dollars in USAID funding have been withdrawn from health centes around the world that provide abortion servcies or information, thereby having a devasting impact on womens access to safe servcies in over 50 countries. The Union has also shown its support for a woman's right to choose by affilating to Abortion Rights, the leading pro-choice organisation. At this time therefore, the SU fund is especially important, as it puts the needs of the students first, and recognises the particular pressures women studnets' who fall pegannt face.
The fund is administered by the SU Advice and Counselling Centre through a private appointment with an advisor, there is no means testing and any payment made is completely anonymous. Please contact the Advice Centre or the Education and Welfare Officer for more details.
If you do become pregnant then you can also contact the St Philips Medical Centre, or a family planning clinic such as Marie Stopes (0845 300 80 90) to discuss their options and what services are available.
