Andy Drozdziak
A student who faced a backlash after an all-male pro-life society was launched at Manchester University believes that pro-life societies in universities have a vital role.
Since the age range between 20-24 is statistically the most likely to have an abortion, medical student Jacob Karinatan, 20, said: “Pro-life societies in universities have an important role in directing vulnerable women in these situations to get the help that they need.
“The age range of people having abortions is quite high; it’s important to be able to stand up for these beliefs within our society.”
The creation of the university’s new Pro-Life Society, to which Jacob Karinatan belongs, led to over 15,000 people signing a petition calling for it to be banned, with accusations of misogyny accompanying calls for its banning. Manchester Student Union quickly confirmed the new society’s right to exist, adding that it had gone through all the registration processes.
Speaking of the new society and its mission, Jacob told the Universe: “We have our own views on abortion and we’d like to discuss them with other people who want to come along to these discussions. We haven’t had protests or marches challenging the issue of abortion. We’ve just started and set ourselves up.
“It’s important to have a society where both sides of the arguments are civilly discussed. No one is going around saying it is only a women’s issue. Anyone has a right to have an opinion on this.”
The aim of the society is ‘to create a pro-life culture on campus and support the dignity of every human life from conception.’
A major criticism levelled at the group was that it initially comprised of men only. Since the petition spread, two women have voluntarily joined the leadership team of the Pro-Life Society. Jacob believes it is important for men to have a voice in pro-life debate.
“It is a woman’s issue but everyone does have the right to an opinion,” he said. “Often the issue of abortion means that a father can avoid responsibility and can just push it on the woman which strikes me as being anti-woman. It’s not right for the man to avoid responsibility.”
Jacob is inviting those interested to ‘come along to our events,’ and to ‘have a look at our Instagram. You can raise awareness, stand up for the right of the unborn and make that known to your friends and colleagues.’
His call comes as an upcoming vote in Parliament could see abortion decriminalised. Dame Diana Johnson has proposed an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which aims to exempt women who terminate their own pregnancies from being prosecuted. However, Jacob underlined the importance of sharing the pro-life message in the face of such pressure. He said: “It’s important to have a voice for the unborn-the most vulnerable. I believe the pro-life cause answers questions in terms of providing that support, that guidance for all parties affected.”
He ended by thanking Universe readers for their prayers and urged them to continue to pray.
The new group has been welcomed by fellow pro-life group Right To Life, whose spokesperson, Catherine Robinson, affirmed that Manchester University pro-life society has ‘as much right to be heard as anyone else’. “Student pro-life groups are often the first opportunity people have to hear the pro-life view and this should not be denied by other students making spurious accusations about ‘harm’,” she said.
“A pro-life group that intends, among other things, to discuss abortion and make the case for opposing it has as much right to be heard as anyone else.”