‘It’s the 21st Century and it’s time to repeal the Eighth’
Dear Editor,
As our attention turns, once again, to the possibility of a presidential election, a thought comes to mind.
I wonder if Ireland is unique in having elected two heads of state who were sworn to maintain and uphold a Constitution which denied them autonomy over their own bodies?
It seems that even occupying the highest office in the land is no guarantee that any Irish woman will be permitted to make her own decisions regarding her healthcare in pregnancy.
This is the twenty-first century. Surely it is now time to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Dear Editor,
There has been much discussion in recent days concerning the appropriate time and place to discuss the upcoming referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
The “time and place” argument has been used to stifle debate for generations, especially on matters concerning sexuality, reproduction and women’s rights. However, there is no right time and place to do the wrong thing.
The right time to grant Savita the termination which might have saved her life was when she requested it.
The right place to discuss the options available to a pregnant woman or girl is the privacy of her doctor’s office.
The time to repeal the Eighth Amendment is now. The place is your local polling booth.
Trust women. Vote Yes.