Maria Caulfield, the Conservative MP for Lewes, has been appointed the UK’s Minister for Women by Rishi Sunak – a decision which has raised concern among charities and women's health advocates.
Having voted in favour of cutting the 24-week abortion time limit, opposing the introduction of “buffer zones” outside clinics, voting against the legalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, and previously sitting on the all-party parliamentary pro-life group, people are, rightfully, concerned.
The decision to appoint Caulfield has drawn serious criticism and concern from women’s rights groups and reproductive charities, as well as being deemed “deeply troubling” in a tweet by Anneliese Dodds, Labours Shadow Women and Equalities Secretary.
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Back in 2018, the Tory MP spoke about her goal to reduce the upper time limit of 24 weeks for women to terminate a pregnancy to align with “medical advances.”
She said (via The Guardian), “The 24-week limit was introduced at a time when babies were not really viable at 24 weeks. Now babies who are born prematurely grow up to live long, healthy lives like the rest of us.”
Late-term abortions happen for various reasons, which shouldn't be undermined by “pro-life” rhetoric. Factors include needing time to process the information and confide in others, long waiting times to receive reproductive healthcare services, and health concerns for the fetus or pregnant person. It's vital to ensure that women have the freedom to make informed and considered choices for their own benefit instead of limiting this through rushed time constraints.
As recently as October 2022, Caulfield voted against measures to protect women from the harassment of anti-abortion protestors by creating “buffer zones.” The amendment to the public order bill passed, but still has several stages to clear before becoming law.
Yesterday (31 October), Caulfield defended her decisions, saying, "The definition of harassment is open to interpretation.
“There's a possibility of someone going up to a woman who may be upset or distressed, offering them some comfort, that could then be accused of harassment and face six-months in jail.”
Take your ‘silent prayer’ elsewhere.
A spokesperson for the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) told GLAMOUR, “We are absolutely appalled that the Prime Minister has decided to appoint as Minister for Women an MP who has consistently voted to restrict women's rights.”
“This is not an abstract issue,” the spokesperson continued, “The new Minister for Women believe[ing] that women in the most complex and difficult of circumstances should face prison sentences [for having late-term abortions after the legal time limit] is appalling.”
The charity said the MPs' views are “Out of step with members of the public and her own parliamentary party.”
Recent victories towards women's autonomy over their reproductive choices have included recent amendments of buffer zones and the extension of the ‘Pills by Post’ scheme. Thus, women's reproductive rights have been seen to be moving in an optimistic direction. However, this recent appointment seems like a classic case of one step forwards, two steps back.
Louise McCudden, MSI Reproductive Choices’ UK Advocacy and Public Affairs Advisor, also said, “Sexual and reproductive healthcare is absolutely vital for gender equality. For example, without access to contraception and abortion, it becomes much harder for many women to complete their education, become financially independent, or leave abusive relationships.
“In this country, one in three women has an abortion, and 90% of people are pro-choice. That’s why there’s support for reproductive rights across the political spectrum. We encourage all ministers to take reproductive healthcare seriously in a professional capacity and recognise it an essential aspect of achieving gender equality - no matter what personal views they may have on the matter.”
