Today (28 June) marks the 50th anniversary of the passing of the 1967 National Health Service (Family Planning) Act into law, which made contraception readily available for all through the NHS in England and Wales, including the contraceptive pill for women. Later the same year the Abortion Act was also passed. Together, these two acts allowed women to fully take control of their fertility for the first time. Humanists UK believes that the advent of the contraceptive pill is one of the most significant medical advances of the last century, which has allowed millions of women, both in the UK and worldwide, the freedom to plan if, when, and how many, children they will have.
Initially developed by American biologist Dr Gregory Pincus in the 1950s, the contraceptive pill contains oestrogen and progestin hormones which prevents the process of ovulation. Without an egg being released by the ovaries, no fertilisation can take place. This method of contraception is over 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. There are 32 different forms of the pill and it is taken by over 100 million women globally.
The contraceptive pill was first introduced to Britain in 1961, where it was only available on the NHS to married women. This changed with the passing of this Act, introduced as a private member’s bill by Labour MP Edwin Brooks, which made the contraceptive pill freely accessible to all women, whether single or married. It is estimated that 70 percent of all women in Britain have used the contraceptive pill at some point in their lives.
Over the course of the past five decades, the passing of this Act has been heralded as a revolutionary moment, which empowered women both in the public and private spheres. The availability of free, reliable, and easy-to-use contraceptives contributed to the dramatic increase in women entering the workforce since the 1960s, as well as being able to study for higher education and professional degrees. It opened up career, educational and social opportunities to women, that previously would not have existed due to the burdens of pregnancy and childcare.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson commented, ‘Today we celebrate the anniversary of one of the most influential and positive pieces of legislation in modern times. The 1967 National Health Service (Family Planning) Act has advanced, and continues to advance, the autonomy and life opportunities of millions of women in the UK, who are no longer constrained by unwanted pregnancies.
‘However, campaigns around abortion and contraception are ongoing, with focus just this week on the fact that women from Northern Ireland are charged up to £2,000 to have abortions in Britain. Yesterday, the British Medical Association voted to update its policy in favour of the decriminalisation of abortion in England and Wales. Just as we did then, we will continue to advocate for further reforms.’
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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk or 020 3675 0959.
Read more about our campaign work on abortion and sexual and reproductive rights: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/public-ethical-issues/sexual-and-reproductive-rights/
Read more about our campaign work on conscientious objection: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/human-rights-and-equality/conscientious-objection/
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk/