Tackle abortion issue now - Cuthbert Flynn wants Jamaicans to think more progressive following Argentina’s landmark ruling
Published:Friday | January 8, 2021 | 12:08 AMNadine Wilson-Harris/Staff Reporter
Following Argentina’s landmark ruling last week to legalise abortion, Member of Parliament Juliet Cuthbert Flynn is hoping the controversial issue can be placed back on the parliamentary agenda and a conscience vote be pursued to amend the existing laws in Jamaica.
In what is being hailed as a victory for women, Argentina’s Congress legalised abortions up to the 14th week of pregnancy last week Wednesday, as 38 senators voted in favour of the bill following a marathon session, which saw 29 voting against and one abstention.
Despite protest from the highly influential Catholic Church and a growing evangelical community, Argentina’s grassroots women movement was successful in their advocacy to overturn a law that had been in place since 1921. Prior to last week’s historic decision, abortions were only permitted in cases of rape or when the mother’s health was at risk.
The passing of the landmark ruling in one of the largest countries in Latin America has ignited the hope of pro-choice activists that despite the long history of opposition by the church, there could be a ripple effect in other conservative countries in the region.
A HUGE WIN
“The win for Argentina is a huge win for Latin American countries and also our Caribbean islands who have not updated their laws, and I think in Jamaica, we need to now look at what is happening. It is an issue that we must tackle,” said Cuthbert Flynn, who is now in her second term as an MP.
The parliamentarian reignited the debate on abortion in 2018 when she tabled a motion in the House of Representatives for the Government to consider relaxing the abortion laws to ensure that women have access to safe abortions.
The Olympian, who was appointed a state minister in the Ministry of Health and Wellness in September last year, said she has not changed her stance.
“My views have remained the same. I think we need to be more progressive in our thoughts. I think we need to definitely change the laws. The laws have been there for a while, we have been trying to change them. Several ministers have tried to do so without success,” Cuthbert Flynn told The Gleaner on Wednesday.
After lengthy deliberations since Cuthbert Flynn’s motion just over two years ago, then chairman of Parliament’s Human Resources and Social Development Committee, Ronald Thwaites, recommended that a conscience vote may be the best way for lawmakers to resolve the issue of legalising abortion. It is now up to the Lower House to put it on the agenda and for Cabinet to deliberate in determining what changes should be made to the law, if any.
SLAP IN THE FACE
President of the Christian youth group, Love March Movement, Dr Daniel Thomas, is strongly opposed to a conscience vote. He would much rather a referendum so that the people can decide.
“We don’t believe that our leaders should be able to make decisions that they cannot be held accountable for. If there is any such vote, we would prefer for it to be the people that make that decision,” he said.
He said that based on his assessments, Jamaicans are, for the most part, against the legalisation of abortion, but feels it could be legalised if the nation’s leaders “pull a stunt against the will of the people”.
In the case of Argentina, the bill will be signed into law by President Alberto Fernandez, who has been a powerful backer of the pro-choice campaign. Women will now be able to have an abortion for any reason up to 14 weeks for free.
While Dr Thomas is not threatened by the advocacy of the women’s movement, he is bothered by the appointment of Cuthbert Flynn as a state minister in health.
“I think it is important that our leaders understand that we are watching them. We are very attentive to what is going on, especially in our own Government. We are very concerned that the member of parliament who brought the motion in order to have abortion legalised has been appointed a state minister. That is of great concern and a slap in the face of the democratic process,” he said.
Cuthbert Flynn, who has maternal health as part of her portfolio responsibility, says she is concerned that some mothers are not accessing care until the third trimester. She said her goal is to make sure that women are informed about the importance of prenatal and postnatal care.