Come to our events!
Abortion Rethink holds regular community mobilisation events where Australians can be equipped, inspired and motivated to make a difference in the lives of women experiencing vulnerable pregnancies.
If you're keen to make a difference in the lives of Australian women but are not sure where to start, coming to one of these events is the ideal way to get involved.
If you can’t make it to an event, there’s still plenty you can do. See our Take Action page for tasks and tips to ensure that your voice is heard.
Host your own event
Host your own event for your church, school or community group and help others get active in raising awareness and creating positive change for women experiencing unplanned or problematic preganncy in Australia. To get started please complete this form here. We will provide a "get active" pack of documents on how to run your event and answer any questions you may have. Let us know the date and location and we will advertise it on our website and social media so it reaches as wide an audience as possible.
NSW Parliamentary Briefing: 21 June 2017
Our latest Event took place on 21 June 2017, in the form of a Members Briefing at New South Wales Parliament House. NSW's Upper House MP's gathered to hear from legal experts, social workers, community supporters and women who shared their personal stories relating to the Penny Sharpe 'Exclusion Zones' Bill.
Young Nepalese couple Aashika and Surya shared their gratitude for community supppoters outside a Sydney abortion clinic who offered them the practical help and legal, medical and social connections that empowered them to make a choice they really wanted:
Huma and Ali, a young Indian Muslim couple, shared their story of the day that they met the people who empowered them to make the choice to keep their new baby:
Medical Law Expert & Associate Professer in the School of Law at the University of Notre Dame, Anna Walsh, shared her expertise on the possible legal ramifications of enforced exclusion zones:
Dean of Law at Notre Dame University Professor Michael Quinlan also shared his legal perspective:
MP's also heard from those members of the community who take time to offer assistance to vulnerable women outside abortion clinics:
NSW Parliamentary Panel: 3 May 2017
Earlier in 2017, Abortion Rethink sponsored an Expert Panel at New South Wales Parliament House. Members of the Legislative Council and the public heard information on the Faruqi Abortion bill from medical, legal and social experts, and most importantly of all, New South Wales women themselves.
Jaya Taki
Jaya Taki spoke of her experience of abortion coercion and post abortive grief:
Silma Ihram
Silma Ihram, President of the Australian Muslim Women's Association and the CEO of the RTO - Diversity Skills Training, shared her perspective as a Muslim woman:
Claire Cantrall
Claire Cantrall is a Barrister and Family Law Specialist, Waratah Chambers. She spoke of the legal implications of the Faruqi Bill:
Parliament also heard from the following professionals:
Rachael Wong
Rachael Wong is a Barrister, Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Law at the University of Notre Dame Australia and Director of Research, Policy & Advocacy at Women's Forum Australia.
Dr Anne Gilroy
Dr Anne Gilroy is a General Practitioner, senior Medical Educator and Clinical Lecturer at University of Western Sydney.
Dr Bryan Kenny
Dr Bryan Kenny, is an obstetrician whose focus is providing safe and individualised care for women and their babies during pregnancy.
Jennifer Gurry
Jennifer Gurry is the Executive Director and founder of Diamond Pregnancy Support Inc.
Linda Smyth
Linda Smyth is the Executive Officer of Sara’s Place, a pregnancy support centre in Surry Hills, NSW.
Catherine Toomey
Cath is a specialist consultant to crisis pregnancy support agencies, as well as working in the role of CEO and Chair for one in Queensland - Priceless House.
Rebecca Anderson
Rebecca Anderson is the Campaign Liaison Officer for and co-founder of the Abortion Rethink initiative.
Personal Testimonies
While they might lead different professional and home lives, both Jaya Taki and Emma Morris share a mutual passion for seeing the experience of post abortive women, like themselves, taken into consideration.
Vigil for Their Voices: 1 March 2017
One day after Rob Pyne MP withdrew his two abortion bills from Queensland Parliament, Queenslanders gathered for a Candlelit Vigil to reflect on the community's journey of advocacy and to honour women's voices.
At the conclusion of the vigil, a white rose and a card of thanks were delivered to every member of the Queensand Parliament who had indicated that they would vote against both Bills, in appreciation for their concern and care for women.
Rally! 16 August 2017
In August 2016, Abortion Rethink ran a hugely successful Flash Mob Rally outside Queensland Parliament to coincide with the sitting of Parliament and to speak up for Queenslanders.