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Original poster

Repeal the 8th - have we talked about Ireland's 'abortion war?'

206 replies

DorothyGarrod · 14/05/2018 10:35

Nine women A DAY travel to the UK a day to access an abortion. I am vehemently pro-choice and I'm really hoping the law is changed as a result of the referendum in Ireland later this month. Even women who have been raped are not allowed abortions in Ireland!

I haven't seen much discussion of this on here, but perhaps I missed it when I was writing to my MP about changes to the GRC Wink but I found this Standard Issue podcast which explained the issue to me and it is well worth a listen:

Part One: www.acast.com/standardissuespodcast/simep109doc1-part1-repealingtheeighth?autoplay

Part Two: www.acast.com/standardissuespodcast/simep110doc1part2-repealingthe8th

I'm scared to feel hopeful about the outcome of a referendum though...

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QuarksandLeptons · 14/05/2018 20:34

In 2012, in a first world country, a woman was left to die after being told she couldn’t have an abortion because “Ireland is a Catholic country”

I hope Savita is never forgotten and I really hope this referendum leads to Irish women stepping out of the shadow of a dark patriarchal past.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/medical-misadventure-verdict-on-savita-halappanavar-s-tragic-abortion-death-8580289.html

DrMantisToboggan · 14/05/2018 12:55

've got Irish friends who have said that they're going to vote no because the campaign doesn't go far enough to legalise and they'd rather wait for a better referendum. I find it baffling and completely unpragmatic but don't feel it's my place to challenge when I'm not in Ireland.

That’s completely nonsensical. There can be no provision for abortion unless and until the 8th amendment is removed, which is what this whole referendum is about. And the proposal to be put on 25th May makes explicit reference to legislation which the government has indicated will offer abortion without restriction up to 12 weeks, and in limited circumstances thereafter.

Please do challenge your friends’ inaccurate analysis of this.

MoltenLasagne · 14/05/2018 12:41

I've got Irish friends who have said that they're going to vote no because the campaign doesn't go far enough to legalise and they'd rather wait for a better referendum. I find it baffling and completely unpragmatic but don't feel it's my place to challenge when I'm not in Ireland.

I worry that combined with the swing voters it's going to end up with a no vote and kick the can another 30 years down the road whilst more women die needlessly.

ludog · 14/05/2018 12:26

I just met an acquaintance I would have thought would be yes and am shocked he's a no. However, I think I've given him food for thought. I also said to him if, in conscience, he feels he can't vote yes to please consider not voting no either.

Original poster
DorothyGarrod · 14/05/2018 10:50

ludog, part of me wonders why men get to vote on something that affects women! It is peak patriarchy for me.

OP posts:
ludog · 14/05/2018 10:41

I'm afraid that the people in the middle, the undecideds will go for keeping things as they are and vote NO at the last minute. There is so much misinformation out there and it's hard to get to it all and refute it. I'm disappointed in some friends who have declared as no voters and pleasantly surprised in others who have come out as yes. It's going too be extremely tight either way but I really hope YES swing a victory. It was my first time voting in 1993 and it's my daughter's first vote now.