How do I tell them I’m
Pro-Choice?
Lobbying Workshop
Thursday February 23rd 2012
Cork Feminista
&
Cork Women’s Right to Choose
From X to ABC
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•
•
•
•
•
•
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
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•
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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 On
Women’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 Feminista
E: [email protected]
F: facebook.com/corkfeminista
T: @corkfeminista
W: corkfeminista.com
Cork Women’s Right to
Choose Group
E:cork.womens.right.to.choose@
gmail.com
F:
facebook.com/corkwomensrightt
ochoose
T: @cork4choice
W:corkwomensrighttochoose.blo
gspot.com