Repealling the 8th

[Casschops]

This is going to be short, I won't say what my opinion is but as we are all aware Ireland will vote tomorrow to repeal the 8th amendment to relax abortion laws and to reduce the grip that is held by the church on the choices of women. I am not asking wether you agree or disagree with this so here is my AIBU: To ask if you feel as this is a womens issue and a decision that will affect the rest of her life is should men be allowed to vote? By allowing men to vote in this matter is this reinforcing that they too can have a say over what happens to a womans body? Or are we allowing men to exercise their democratic right to vote as a basic equal human right? Just wondered what your thoughts were?

A lot of this is not the church and control over women's bodies, but the right to life. The argument goes that we do not allow a parent of a born child to kill them after a couple of weeks because they are inconvenient, so why when still in utero?
The counter is that a parent can (and do) walk away from a born child, but a women cannot when in utero.
The decision is whether a women's bodily rights for 9 months trumps the right to life for a fetus.

The decision is whether a women's bodily rights for 9 months trumps the right to life for a fetus

No it isn't. Its about whether the "life" of a foetus is EQUAL to that of a living breathing woman. That is what the 8th amendment says. Which in practice means that women have died because a non viable pregnancy can't be removed. Women have died because they have been refused treatment for cancer because they were pregnant. Women have died by suicide because they couldn't get a termination. Women who have pregnancies with fatal foetal abnormalities don't have the option to end them. Women don't have the right to refuse intervention is pregnancy, to turn down induction or c-section.

@MiggeldyHiggins spot on.

This whole campaign has been obfuscated by scaremongering of details of potential legislation, pictures...

There seems to be very little focus on the actual point we are voting on. That whilst the Constitution says there is an equal right to life, there is not.

This is also the 36th (proposed) amendment to the Constitution. If the sample ballot papers are accurate then it will not mention the 8th amnedment, I hope this does not confuse people tomorrow.

The referendum is a vote concerning the constitution of the republic. Of course every citizen should have a vote

This ^

It’s constitutional law

Standing with the women of Ireland, from Scotland.

#RepealtheEighth

Men and women should all vote to repeal.

Yes of course.
I can’t articulate the way I feel. I actually sat crying (I get very sentimental!) reading about all of the Irish citizens flocking back to Ireland to make their vote, because I really think that they’ll win, and abortion will be legal, it’s such a big issue and we take for granted that it’s an option, but in Ireland women have died when they’ve become ill and been denied an abortion.

It’s a travesty that it isn’t yet legal.

I want to also point out that I never thought I would feel this way. I don’t necessarily agree with abortion (too many years of intertility- it just hits a bit of a nerve!) but no way in 2018 should people not have the right to have one if they wish.

It's not just about abortion , it's about maternal health. It's about informed consent in pregnancy and birth . I'll be voting later today to repeal . Everyone who can vote should . I want bodily autonomy

Men should vote. Why would you ban one massive group voting on their constitution?
It's like in South Korea if they wanted to abolish conscription should women jot be allowed to vote as they're not conscripted?

I will proudly vote with my daughter today. Let's hope the people of Ireland vote to let us women decide what happens with our bodies #repealthe8th #togetherforyes.

I strongly believe men have a vote too as it’s their partners, mothers, sisters and daughters....

My YES vote has been cast. I am a nervous wreck now and will be until we get the result. Fingers crossed for us please UK!!

tbh I was really struggling to come to a conclusion on this but the response from @Inkspellme helped a lot and I completely agree, thanks

Well - I'm 50 and no longer able to get pregnant so does that mean I shouldn't vote as the issue won't directly affect me? But it does give my 20 year old daughter the choices she needs if its passed - so her father should be able to vote too for that reason. (all three of us are passionate yes voters).

I voted earlier yes , hopefully it passes I'll be a nervous wreck until I know the result . I'm watching EastEnders and it has my heart broken but it's taking my mind off the ref. #togetherforyes

And we have #repealedthe8th. A historic day for Ireland❤ #tá4mná