WRC Establish Partnership With NY Center
The Women’s Resource Centre held a meeting with the New York-based reproductive healthcare provider CHOICES and the “two organizations agreed to establish a formal referral partnership to strengthen pathways to care for women in Bermuda who may require services not currently available locally.”
A spokesperson said, “The Women’s Resource Centre [WRC] hosted a stakeholder meeting on Friday, June 12, bringing together policymakers, healthcare professionals, advocates, and community partners to discuss access to reproductive healthcare and safe medical abortion services for women in Bermuda.
“The meeting was held in partnership with CHOICES Women’s Medical Center [CHOICES], a New York-based reproductive healthcare provider with a longstanding history of serving women from Bermuda.
“Founded by Merle Hoffman in 1971 as one of the first abortion clinics in the United States, CHOICES has grown into a comprehensive women’s healthcare facility in Queens, New York, offering services that include abortion care up to 24.6 weeks, gynecological and prenatal care, birth control, telemedicine, counseling, doula care, and travel and financial support.
“The discussion aimed to examine the current landscape of abortion access in Bermuda, identify barriers women face, and explore practical solutions while broader legislative and policy conversations continue. Commitments to remove pregnancy termination from the Criminal Code and review the policies and processes governing abortion access have been referenced in both the Government’s 2025 Throne Speech and the Progressive Labour Party’s 2025 election platform.
“The meeting was attended by a diverse group of stakeholders, including Kim Wilkerson, Attorney General and Minister of Justice; Keechia Tuckett, Permanent Secretary of Health; former Senator and Gender Affairs Council member Arianna Hodgson; representatives from the Maternal Health and Sexual Health Clinics; women and girls advocate McKenzie-Kohl Tuckett and WRC client advocate Aysia Stovell.
“As an outcome of these discussions, the two organizations agreed to establish a formal referral partnership to strengthen pathways to care for women in Bermuda who may require services not currently available locally. Through this partnership, women will have access to information, advocacy, emotional support, care coordination, and referral services.
“CHOICES also awarded the Women’s Resource Centre a $20,000 grant to help offset the direct costs of reproductive care for women in need. The funding reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that women and girls can access essential reproductive health services with dignity, compassion, and respect.”
“Women deserve bodily autonomy, compassionate support, and access to healthcare options that meet their needs,” said Juanae Crockwell, Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Centre. “While legislative and policy discussions continue, we believe it is important to take meaningful action now to ensure that women have access to the services and support they need.”
“Geography should not determine your destiny,” stated Merle Hoffman, Founder, President, and CEO of CHOICES. “Since 1971, when our very first patient crossed state lines to find us, CHOICES has carried one promise across the decades—safe, confidential care stays within reach, wherever your journey begins.”
“We see this partnership as one step forward in a broader conversation about women’s health in Bermuda,” Ms. Crockwell added. “Our goal is simple: to ensure that every woman in Bermuda has access to the information, support, and healthcare options she needs to make the decisions that are right for her health, her family, and her future.”
The spokesperson said, “Attendees expressed a shared commitment to continuing the conversation and working collaboratively to advance equity in reproductive healthcare for women in Bermuda. While broader legislative and policy reforms continue to be explored, attendees identified a number of opportunities to strengthen access, improve support services, and enhance the overall experience of women navigating reproductive healthcare decisions.
“The Women’s Resource Centre looks forward to continuing engagement with stakeholders, healthcare providers, advocates, and policymakers to advance practical solutions that support the health, wellbeing, and autonomy of women in Bermuda.”
