No matter who wins in referendum, women need more support
The Yes and No campaigns seem to be on the same page regarding a better support system around an unintended pregnancy.
This referendum is dividing us, yet all we want is more support for women. Both campaigns claim to be pro woman. At least this is something we can agree on.
More care is needed especially pre-abortion because this is the time when a woman can feel trapped and desperately looks for a way out.
Non-judgmental, non-biased yet non-mandatory counselling services can provide a space where women can voice their concerns, assess their fears and prepare themselves for whatever decision they make. These services already exist but are not widely available and can often be biased, pressurising the woman towards continuing with the pregnancy.
The No campaign claims women need support, not abortion. They need both in many cases. Some cases are beyond an hour a week of counselling.
If we want to save lives, let’s address what brings a woman to seek an abortion and support her in her decision and not sweep it under the carpet and over to the UK.
A Yes result will not affect the number of crisis pregnancies on its own. We need more sex education in our schools to address what teens are learning on the internet, free contraception and to dissolve the rape culture that exists in our society.
If the Eighth is repealed and a woman has somewhere to go to open up about her unintended pregnancy then the Government must fund a proper, efficient and affordable support system for her rather than subjecting her to a quick chat with a British nurse before she goes into the surgery.
This is what will save lives. Margaret McCarthy Kinsale, Co Cork