Ten Years of Women's Health: 1982–92

Abstract

In 1992, Women's Health, a London-based resource centre, is celebrating its tenth anniversary. This is the first in a series of interviews, articles and other collections of information through which the organization will look back over its history. The results of these examinations will be produced as articles in the anniversary newsletter, or stored in Women's Health's archives for the use of workers in the centre, historians and those who use the centre. Women's Health formed from the merger in 1988 of two organizations, Women's Reproductive Rights Information Centre (WRRIC) and Women's Health Information Centre (WHIC). WHIC was established with its first funding in 1982 and WRRIC followed after a split within the National Abortion Campaign in 1983. At the time of the merger the new organization called itself the Women's Health and Reproductive Rights Information Centre (WHRRIC), a name chosen to ensure that the dual origins were reflected. The final (we hope!) name change is a result of a number offactors including an increased sense of identity and cohesion within the organization and a desire for a more concise name that still reflects the work of the centre. The organization has qxisted over a period of time which has been notable for its constancy and its change. The battle for abortion rights has been ongoing, both in specific campaigns, such as the Alton bill and in less visible but continuing conditions, such as the general erosion of provision of abortion. Cervical and breast cancer continue to be major causes of death despite attempts to improve the screening programme. But new technology, in the field of reproductive technology and elsewhere, has been established as a norm in a way scarcely imagined a decade ago. Single women and lesbians are having children despite the interference of the state and media. Hormone replacement therapy has