Should Ireland repeal its ban on abortion?
As the Republic goes to the polls, two voters open up It’s time to shake off the history of shaming women
IRISH women travel to England as abortion is illegal at home. Nine a day travel and another three order abortion pills online.
They’re women in desperate situations – too young, too old, too overwhelmed to cope with pregnancy and parenting.
Women grieving the inevitable loss of a much-wanted baby due to “fatal foetal abnormality”. Women who have been raped.
Today, Irish people are voting on repealing the Eighth Amendment. A Yes vote will remove the text which equates the life of the unborn with that of the mother, and allow the government to legislate for safe, legal abortion.
Earlier this week myself and my co-author Sarah Breen found ourselves sharing a platform with our hero Marian Keyes, campaigning as part of Writers
FABIANA MIZZONI, 26, Dublin
For Choice for a Yes vote. The Yes camp has focused on women’s health, abolition of shame, the need for compassion.
The No side are concerned with the right to life of the unborn, the idea of “abortion on demand”. They say the proposed legislation goes “too far”.
What’s too far is exportation of healthcare. It’s the lack of trust in women to make the right choice.
Removing the Eighth will give Irish women a chance for a safer, more humane experience. It will give them back their dignity.
Oh My God, What a Complete Aisling by Emer McLysaght and Sarah Breen, published by Michael Joseph, £12.99. Nearly 10 years ago, aged 17, I found I was four weeks pregnant.
I freaked out but my mum was completely supportive.
I knew I wasn’t ready to become a
IRELAND could make history by repealing its ban on abortions today.
They are a crime in the Republic, unless a woman’s life is in immediate danger.
The Eighth Amendment outlawed them after a 1983 vote. But a Yes today could permit termination in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
In the UK it is allowed at up to 24 weeks, except in Northern Ireland. Here, two women explain their vote. parent. A pregnancy would have damaged my mental health.
Mum was able to find the money to travel to Liverpool to terminate.
It was over quickly. The nurses were kind. In Ireland you’re brought I’M a feminist, a progressive, a liberal and a free thinker. For all these reasons, I am voting No.
The vast majority – 97% – of abortions are in cases of crisis pregnancy, mainly endured by young, unwed or single women.
Society frightens her into believing that pregnancy is the worst thing that can happen to her, that she will be a burden and a failure. That is misogyny.
With this message we are perpetuating an illusory truth that having a baby, the most natural, empowering act of womanhood, is a nightmare.
Women feel forced into ending the life inside them because they feel they have no other choice.
It is easier to sell abortion to women as a “freedom” or “right” than to tackle societal attitudes; to give support, discuss options and tell women: you’re not alone. While single-parenthood is hard, anyone who has done it will tell you it is the most rewarding decision they have ever made.
What is truly progressive is to embrace a culture where singleparenthood is not stigmatised or painted as an oppression.
I had my son alone in 2009 and I’ve noticed dramatic steps forward in attitudes. Why take a giant step backwards? We are not backward for not having abortion here. We are leaders.
We should be ensuring women who want to control their bodies can do so fully, with proper education on and free access to 100% contraceptive methods. up thinking awful things about girls who have abortions. I remember thinking I was going to go to hell.
This referendum is giving Ireland the chance to shake off the history of shaming and brutalising women.