The panel discussion following the screening of Zurawski v Texas provided a critical and comprehensive exploration of the challenges and strategies surrounding reproductive rights. Experts from advocacy, politics, healthcare, and media shared their insights, shedding light on the growing threats posed by abortion restrictions and the essential steps required to defend and advance these rights globally.
Dr Lucy Moore (BPAS) opened the discussion by emphasising the necessity of unified efforts in the fight for reproductive rights. She warned of the global repercussions of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States, stressing how restrictions on abortion lead to preventable deaths and wider setbacks for reproductive healthcare. Dr Moore highlighted BPAS’s ongoing work to decriminalise abortion in the UK and urged attendees to actively support these efforts.
Kerry Moscogiuri (Amnesty International UK) framed abortion restrictions as a gateway to authoritarian control over human rights. She underscored the significance of protecting abortion as a fundamental healthcare right, essential for bodily autonomy and gender equality. Kerry called for cross-movement collaboration to counter the spread of restrictive policies and reaffirmed the importance of sustained activism.
Amy Flanagan (Hidden Light Productions), producer of Zurawski v Texas, stressed that abortion bans are not abstract legal issues but have devastating real-world consequences. She recounted how even close family members of those affected by bans were often unaware of their full impact. The documentary was designed to expose these harsh realities, illustrating how the resilience of one person can ignite a broader movement for justice.
Amy also discussed the necessity of expanding the conversation to include all demographics, particularly men, whose support is crucial in advocating for reproductive rights. By illustrating the wide-reaching consequences of abortion restrictions, the movement can build stronger, more inclusive support networks.
Eszter Kismödi, Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, provided a global perspective, highlighting the damaging impact of the Global Gag Rule, which restricts funding to NGOs that support abortion services. She explained how this policy disproportionately harms low-income nations, cutting off essential healthcare resources.
Despite these challenges, Eszter pointed to significant progress in countries like France and Norway, where legislative measures have safeguarded abortion access. However, she cautioned that Europe and the UK face subtler but equally harmful barriers, including the widespread use of conscientious objection, mandatory waiting periods, and bureaucratic red tape that can delay or prevent abortion access.
Stella Creasy MP (Labour and Co-operative Party) warned of the increasing sophistication of anti-choice rhetoric, particularly in the UK. She highlighted how misinformation campaigns systematically create doubt among undecided individuals, weakening public support for reproductive rights. Drawing parallels with the US, she explained how anti-choice networks are embedding themselves within grassroots movements and faith communities, subtly shifting public perception over time.
Stella challenged the complacency surrounding UK abortion laws, explaining that they are still governed by the outdated 1967 Abortion Act and the 1861 Offences Against the Person Act. With the rising number of criminal investigations into women accused of ‘illegal’ abortions, she stressed the urgent need for legal reforms to protect reproductive rights more securely.
Dr Sonia Adesara, NHS GP and Spokesperson at Doctors for Choice, focused on the resurgence of anti-choice activism, particularly through digital platforms. She highlighted how groups such as the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) are funnelling resources into the UK and Europe, adopting tactics proven successful in the US. These strategies include targeted misinformation campaigns, recruitment of young activists, and the use of social media to normalise anti-choice messaging.
Sonia called for increased vigilance and proactive countermeasures, including the exposure of funding sources and strategic organising within pro-choice movements. She urged normalisation of discussions around abortion to combat stigma and emphasised the critical need for decriminalisation in the UK.
Chiara Capraro, Gender Justice Programme Director at Amnesty International UK, revealed how anti-choice groups have begun co-opting human rights language to restrict abortion access. She explained how these groups frame their opposition as a moral cause, arguing for “protection of the unborn” while simultaneously undermining bodily autonomy.
Chiara stressed the need for education and advocacy to counteract these narratives. She encouraged campaigners and policymakers to learn how to identify and dismantle misleading rhetoric before it gains traction in legislative discussions and public discourse.
Panel chair Dr Rebecca Steinfeld, Special Projects Lead at BPAS, concluded the panel by referencing Martin Luther King Jr.’s words: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” However, she echoed Barack Obama’s adaptation, reminding the audience that “it doesn’t bend on its own.”
The evening’s discussion reinforced the urgency of collective action, sustained advocacy, and international solidarity to ensure reproductive rights remain protected and accessible.
Stella Creasy MP – A Labour and Co-operative MP for Walthamstow, Stella has been a driving force in the legalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland and continues to advocate for stronger protections for reproductive rights in the UK.
Amy Flanagan – An award-winning documentary producer and Creative Director of HiddenLight Productions. Her work, including Zurawski v Texas, brings critical social justice issues to a global audience through storytelling.
Eszter Kismödi – Chief Executive of Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters and an internationally recognised human rights lawyer, specialising in reproductive health and gender equality.
Dr Sonia Adesara – An NHS GP and advocate for reproductive justice, working with organisations such as Doctors for Choice and Abortion Rights UK to challenge health inequalities and promote access to care.
Chiara Capraro – Gender Justice Programme Director at Amnesty International UK, focusing on the intersection of economic, sexual, and reproductive rights, and countering opposition to bodily autonomy.
The panel discussion served as a stark reminder that while reproductive rights remain under threat, collective resistance and sustained advocacy are powerful tools for meaningful change.
