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How do I tell them I’m Pro-Choice? Lobbying Workshop Cork Feminista & Cork Women’s Right to Choose Thursday February 23 rd 2012
How do I tell them I’m Pro-Choice?
Lobbying Workshop
Cork Feminista&
Cork Women’s Right to Choose
Thursday February 23rd 2012
From X to ABC
• 1992 referenda • C Case• Green Paper• Women on Waves• 2002 referendum• Miss D• ABC v Ireland (ECHR)
What is Lobbying?
• ‘Direct pressure on decision-makers with the aim of influencing change’
– National Women’s Council of Ireland, A Guide to Effective Lobbying for Women’s Groups in Ireland
Lobbying – Politicians • Councillors– to achieve changes in services in your area
• Political parties – ‘party whip’, spokespersons, and political advisers to put
your issue on policy agenda• TDs– to raise parliamentary questions, motions/Private
Members Bills, amendments to Gov. Bill, and write letters to Ministers/state agencies, invite to parliamentary committees
• Senators– amendments, write to state agency, invite to
parliamentary committees
From the horse’s mouth
Lobbying Your TD
• What’s your aim?• Who’s your audience?• What do you want?• What are possible responses?
Don’t forget…Tell them you’re PRO-CHOICE!
Lobbying Your TD
• Know about the issue• Be clear about what you want– Legislate for X case/ABC judgment– Promote greater access to abortion
• Keep it short & sweet!
Lobbying your TD
• Know your TD• Think about possible responses– I don’t support the issue– Not my area– People don’t want it– Referendum– Expert Group
Lobbying Your TD
• Public Opinion is on our side!– Opinion polls– Previous referendum results– International opinion– Timing
Lobbying Your TD
• Appearance • Eye Contact • Relax • Practise in a supportive environment
Mock Lobbying Session
• Break off into pairs• Present your case – What do you want?• Switch it up – make the TD’s response
different or change what you’re asking for• Remember – Keep it short!
Lobbying your TD
• Lobby day – Friday 24th Feb• Feedback
DON’T FORGET…TELL THEM YOU’RE PRO-CHOICE!!!
From X to ABC: 20 Years OnWomen’s Studies UCC in association with Cork Feminista
Saturday, 25th February 2012
11-1pm (10:30am Registration) G05, Brookfield Health Sciences Complex, College Rd
With Speakers: • Dr Lisa Smyth, Queen’s University Belfast (Author of Abortion
and Nation: The Politics of Reproduction in Contemporary Ireland (Ashgate 2005);
• Dr. Mary Favier, Media Spokesperson for Doctors for Choice; • Niall Behan, CEO of the Irish Family Planning Association• Dr. Brenda Daly, Law & Government, DCU
What else can you do?
• Join Action on X (facebook.com/actiononx, @actiononx)!
• Sign and share the Change.org Action on X Petition! (Link on CF website)
• Write a letter!• Come to the seminar on Saturday!• Tell your friends and family!
Contact us!
Cork FeministaE: [email protected]
F: facebook.com/corkfeministaT: @corkfeminista
W: corkfeminista.com
Cork Women’s Right to Choose Group
F: facebook.com/corkwomensrightt
ochooseT: @cork4choice
W:corkwomensrighttochoose.blogspot.com
