item details
Overview
This CoAction Pack provided resources to help people protest against the conservative and controversial findings of the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion released in March 1977. It contained a wide range of material including legal information, media clippings, how to organise a public meeting, artwork ideas, posters and stickers. The pack has been well-used with just the legal information, media clippings and postcards for reordering supplies left. This particular pack belonged to Deborah Frances Willett (1947-2006).
Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act 1977
Despite widespread concern and protest, the resulting Contraception, Sterilisation and Abortion Act was passed in December 1977, making getting an abortion more difficult. The new legislation proved hard to implement, with many women travelling to Australia for abortions. Due to public pressure, the Act was amended slightly in July 1978. Issues with the legislation continue.
CoACTION
CoAction brought many concerned groups and individuals together around New Zealand, and explains itself inside the pack:
'What is CoACTION? We are a coalition of concerned organizations working together to ensure that the findings of the Royal Commission on Contraception, Sterilization and Abortion do not become law. We include a variety of New Zealanders of all ages and political convictions. We include such groups as the General Practitioners Society, Family Planning Associations and W.O.N.A.A.C. [Women's National Abortion Action Campaign] as well as many concerned individuals. We are not in favour of abortion as a method of contraception. However, we feel the initial decision to terminate a pregnancy is properly that of the woman, not of politicians.'