Policy

The overarching aim of policy activity is to influence policy-makers and key players regarding prevention of crisis pregnancy, reproductive decision-making and crisis pregnancy outcomes.  This is achieved by publishing policy reviews on key topics related to crisis pregnancy; participating in and organising policy fora on key issues and implementing a system for monitoring policy change nationally to assess the impact of the HSE Crisis Pregnancy Programme’s contribution and disseminate the findings. 

Key areas that are progressing in 2010 include workplace and reproductive decision-making and the cost of contraception.

The Workplace and Reproductive Decision-Making:
The Crisis Pregnancy Programme continues its work to understand the link between parenting, pregnancy decision-making and workplace issues and what is required to support workers who are parents or may be facing parenthood.  In 2008, knowledge gaps were identified around women’s experiences of pregnancy at work, their level of knowledge around maternity rights and the extent to which pregnancy related discrimination occurs in Ireland.  The Crisis Pregnancy Programme advertised a call for submissions from interested parties to carry out a research project exploring women’s experiences of pregnancy at work with a view to assessing levels of discrimination.  The contract was awarded to the Economic and Social Research Institute in partnership with Amarach Consulting.  Work on this project began in early 2009; outcomes from the project will feed into a set evidence-based policy proposals aiming to improve the experience for pregnant women in the workplace. 

The Cost of Contraception:
Research reports that the cost of contraception represents a real and significant barrier for younger people and people on low income; the Crisis Pregnancy Programme is committed to examining policy options to facilitate access to contraception and promote consistent contraceptive use. In 2008, the Crisis Pregnancy Programme commissioned a literature and policy review to identify peer-reviewed published literature internationally which explores cost of contraception and the impact of cost on usage and describe international policy and best-practice on the provision of contraception. This report and other Crisis Pregnancy Programme commissioned research will inform the Crisis Pregnancy Programme in its work to improve consistent and correct use of contraception for key groups at risk of crisis pregnancy.

Presentations:
The Crisis Pregnancy Programme made an evidence-based presentation to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children in July.  Key points include:

• The Crisis Pregnancy Programme supports children’s rights in all types of families
• The Crisis Pregnancy Programme proposes that the possibility of adoption should be extended to children of married parents.
• The Crisis Pregnancy Programme presented evidence suggesting that the age of first sexual intercourse in Ireland is dropping and that a significant minority of young people under the age of 17 engage in consensual sexual activity; the Crisis Pregnancy Programme believes that this needs to be borne in mind in the context of emerging legal debate in the area.