Assisted: Death and Women
Assisted: Death and Women
Podcast Description
Women are dying under assisted dying laws at rates that should alarm us all—but few people are paying attention. Assisted, hosted by Chelsea Roff and Fiona Mackenzie, dives into the data and stories behind it, asking why these laws disproportionately impact women and what it says about society’s view of illness, disability, and care. Through conversations with researchers, policymakers, and families navigating the fallout, Assisted explores the vulnerabilities these laws expose—and what that means for all of us.
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Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on the implications of assisted dying laws, particularly their disproportionate effects on women, and includes topics such as the impact of mental health conditions in eligibility criteria and the societal perceptions surrounding care and illness. Episodes highlight real-world outcomes from Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying, featuring guest perspectives like those of legal scholars and healthcare professionals discussing the potential risks and ethical considerations involved.
Women are dying under assisted dying laws at rates that should alarm us all—but few people are paying attention. Assisted, hosted by Chelsea Roff and Fiona Mackenzie, dives into the data and stories behind it, asking why these laws disproportionately impact women and what it says about society’s view of illness, disability, and care. Through conversations with researchers, policymakers, and families navigating the fallout, Assisted explores the vulnerabilities these laws expose—and what that means for all of us.
We’re delighted to have expert on making law: Nikki Da Costa, return to us after MPs at Westminster voted to pass a proposed law on Assisted Dying. What on earth will happen next?
We’re lining up amazing new guests for a new season. Subscribe: & please consider a paid subscription so we can keep making the debate.
Nikki tells us:
What could happen next for Assisted Death proposals at Westminster?
Despite being the personal wish of the Prime Minister, this bill is not a Government bill, and does not have the same protections in the House of Lords that a Government bill would. The Government have said again and again that they are neutral on this bill. It is just a Private Members Bill.
Kim Leadbeater MP wanted to do a bill on puppy smuggling, until she was approached by charities and important people and instead decided to do Assisted Death. That non contentious issue would have made a good PMB: and the Lords would not feel pressured by demands to pass a puppy smuggling law.
Having the freedom of this being a Private Members Bill made it much easier in the Commons. Not so in the Lords. The Lords can take their time over this bill – and don’t have to pass this.
Abortion was introduced by Private Members Bill – but after the Peel Commission was led by the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which engaged with the medical bodies.
We discuss the bookending of the fateful week in Westminster: with major decriminalisation in the law on abortion voted through by MPs on Tuesday, and lawful assisted dying on Friday. How could MPs get to grips with both decisions? And was it strategic to place the abortion proposals which helpfully framed the debate in terms of choice and autonomy?
That this bill is not safe.
What else do you need to know on assisted death?
Consider DONATING to The Other Half’s crowdfunder. We aim to raise just 0.1% of the money spent by the major assisted dying campaigns.
Check out our polling which shows majority of British people are concerned that domestic abuse victims will be coerced into taking their own lives in assisted death.
Kathleen Stock is publishing a new book early in 2026 on Assisted Death. ‘A punchy, rigorous take on the moral dangers of assisted suicide from a secular point of view.’ This will be extraordinarily timely as Westminster and Holyrood are in final stages of law change.
Fiona mentions the fanatics that are attracted to the assisted death movement, who will push – break – the law. Catch the first part on the British history in The Killers:
Finally, want to hear more from Nikki Da Costa? From February:
Get full access to The Other Half at otherhalforg.substack.com/subscribe
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