Terms of reference
1. Our campaign
1.1 Let’s change the Act is an informal coalition of organisations and individuals campaigning for decriminalisation of abortion in Scotland and improved access to abortion care through legal reform.
1.2 Our members include campaign groups, activists, equalities and human rights organisations, trade unions, clinicians, health bodies, lawyers and academics.
1.3 Our purpose is to work collaboratively to modernise abortion law and to improve access to abortion care for all women and pregnant people in Scotland.
1.4 We advocate for decriminalisation of abortion, and other changes to legal and policy frameworks as relevant.
1.5 We take an intersectional and trans-inclusive approach that ensures a focus on marginalised groups and equality of access to services.
1.6 Our principles for a reformed abortion framework in Scotland are:
- Non-regression
- Advancing gender equality and non-discrimination
- Intersectionality
- Compliance with international human rights standards
- Compliance with international health standards
- Modernisation
- Positive impact on healthcare workforce
- World-leading
1.7 Co-ordination of the campaign is provided by Engender.
2. Membership
2.1 Membership of Let’s change the Act is open to organisations and individuals who sign up to our campaign platform and Terms of Reference, and are based or operational in Scotland. There are no membership fees.
2.2 All members should ensure that their conduct within the campaign is respectful and reasonable. If any member actively contradicts our principles or Terms of Reference, the steering group may decide to revoke their membership.
2.3 Members can volunteer to take become involved in the running of the campaign or to lead on developing campaign subgroups under the format ‘xx for Let’s change the Act’ (see section 5.2).
3. Policy and strategy
3.1 Let’s change the Act vision, principles and policy are set out in our campaign platform. Policy and strategy are developed by the steering group, and may be further developed through members’ meetings.
3.2 Let’s change the Act advocates for full decriminalisation of abortion and for a modernised successor framework to the Abortion Act 1967.
3.3 Membership of Let’s change the Act does not restrict members’ broader campaigning on abortion and related issues. Members represent different interests and have different areas of expertise.
4. Steering group
4.1 The steering group is responsible for strategic decision-making and the implementation of the work of the campaign. Meetings are held monthly online.
4.2 The role of steering group members is to:
- Attend steering group meetings
- Read meeting papers, contribute feedback and respond to correspondence
- Provide input to work planning, key campaigning outputs and strategic direction.
4.3 However, we recognise that not all members are able to take part in meetings during work hours and many, as voluntary organisations and individual activists, have limited capacity.
4.4 Between meetings, the work of the coalition is taken forward via email and by subgroups.
4.5 Members who wish to get more involved in the campaign and can commit to contributing to the group’s work can express interest in joining the steering group.
4.6 The steering group is co-ordinated and chaired by Engender. Minutes are taken on a rotating basis.
5. Subgroups
5.1 Subgroups that focus on specific issues or strands of work are formed as needed. Members with capacity and interest are encouraged to join these groups as appropriate.
5.2 Some subgroups are focussed on operational matters, such as the communications and engagement. Others are focused on building support from specific sectors under the umbrella “xx for Let’s change the Act”, such as “Lawyers for Let’s change the Act”.
6. Communication
6.1 Members are encouraged to highlight the work of Let’s change the Act, including media releases, social media posts and policy work, on their individual platforms.
7. Terms of Reference
7.1 The ToR will be amended by the Steering Group as needed, in line with campaign development.
Speak up LetsChangeTheAct
