As the 22nd October 2019 approaches it looks increasingly certain that abortion will be decriminalised with the repeal of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Persons Act in Northern Ireland. This is the first important step towards fulfilling the recommendations of the United Nations CEDAW committee for a human rights compliant system of reproductive healthcare.

Decriminalisation by itself won’t deliver services however, and as of the October deadline, the Northern Ireland Office will have 5 months to consult on a regulatory framework and service delivery plan.