NUS this week commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the birth control pill.
It was in this week in May 1960 that the American Food and Drug Administration announced it would approve the drug for contraceptive use. It became available in Australia months later in January 1961.
This anniversary represents a turning point in the history of women, especially young women, gaining control over their bodies in the public sphere. Amongst young women today, it is a given that most can gain access to the pill easily and affordably. It is an opportunity to appreciate the women and men who worked tirelessly in a variety of fields to ensure that this drug was accessible for women and families.
However, it is also a moment to recognise that women's reproductive choices are not always under their control. The case of the young Cairns couple who still await trial in Queensland for procuring an abortion is a stark reminder that legislative reform is still required in a number of states to ensure that all women can access a safe, legal termination should it be required.
