news

Women in Queensland are funding abortions through Facebook donations.

 

While abortion rights remain a contentious issue across the country, one Australian organisation has begun raising money to help women in Queensland access safe services via social media.

“None of the money we provide to women comes from government funding,” Children for Change’s Kate Marsh told BuzzFeed earlier this week.

Sharing stories of the many women in need of abortion services via their Facebook page, the group often asks its followers to make a tax-deductible donation to help where the government will not.

children by choice
Queenslanders protesting for abortion rights. Source: Pro Choice Qld.
ADVERTISEMENT

"Today a desperate woman has contacted our service on referral from her health care provider. She has just escaped a violent relationship and is couch surfing with her small child. The man involved in her pregnancy told her he'd 'run her off the road' when she told him she was pregnant," the group wrote on its Facebook page earlier this month.

"She very much wants to access a termination but it is cheaper for her to return to her country of origin than to have the procedure in Queensland. We'd love to help her."

Another story, posted in September, highlights just how dire the situation continues to be for women in Queensland.

abortion laws queensland
Queenslanders have been protesting for legal abortion for decades. Source: Pro Choice Qld.
ADVERTISEMENT

"Today a young Aboriginal woman from a regional town travelled hundreds of kms to come to Brisbane for a termination that she had saved desperately for, only to find she didn't have enough money," it began.

"As the mum of five, she is already in considerable financial distress. She only has today to get the extra money she needs. We are working with a provider to help reduce the cost, but she still requires over $400.

"There are no services in her town able to support her with this and her local hospital is renowned for making it impossible for women to access abortions."

If you're wondering why abortion remains so expensive in the state, the answer is simple.

children by choice
Queenslanders protesting for abortion rights. Source: Pro Choice Qld.
ADVERTISEMENT

Since the state's abortion laws were first introduced in 1899, little has changed — meaning the termination of a pregnancy is still a crime unless the mother's health is seriously at risk.

Queensland Health estimates just one per cent of the state's abortions are accessed through public hospitals, with the remainder being carried out in private clinics — with a hefty price tag attached.

Additionally, many women are forced to travel long distances to even get access to services in the first place, which again, adds further costs.

That's where Children By Choice step in.

Last year alone, the organisation raised an astonishing $90,000 via grants, donations and no-interest loans for women living in Queensland. It also set up a no-interest loan scheme and negotiated discounts from providers.

children by choice
Queenslanders protesting for abortion rights. Source: Pro Choice Qld.
ADVERTISEMENT

“[Providers] risk prosecution to do this job so it should come as no surprise that their motivation in doing so is to provide care to women, but people are usually shocked when we tell them abortion providers are willing to offer hardship grants and cost reductions for our most disadvantaged women just to make sure they are able to access a procedure,” Marsh explained to Buzzfeed.

It is estimated that Children by Choice supports one woman a day through loans, discounts, donations and discounts.

A bill to decriminalise abortion was recently introduced by Cairns Independent MP Rob Pyne, but was rejected by a parliamentary inquiry. An amended version of the bill has been introduced again.

Find out more about Children by Choice here