Last month, our columnist Fr Paddy Byrne used his column to urge people to vote No it the upcoming Referendum on the Eighth Amendment.
In a response to that we publish the below from Laois women Gearóidín McEvoy who is a member of Laois Together for Yes.
She says that this referendum offers us the chance, as a people, to stand up and say that we support a new, more caring, compassionate approach to women’s healthcare. A chance to say that we support change.
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In under three weeks, we will be asked to decide on one of the most impactful issues this country has seen in a generation.
We will be asked if we support the 36th Amendment to the constitution. The 36th Amendment seeks to remove Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution – commonly called the 8th Amendment – which makes abortion illegal up in Ireland in all cases aside from certain death of the mother.
The 36th Amendment says that the Oireachtas may make provisions to create law for the termination of pregnancy.
This is an chance for us, as a people, to stand up and say that we support a new, more caring, compassionate approach to women’s healthcare. A chance to say that we support change.
Care
“It expresses no concern for the thousands of women who begin a long journey on the boat to England. It’s a callous referendum” These were the words of our current President, Michael D Higgins in 1983 while Mayor of Galway.
In 1983, it was well known that abortion was a reality for countless women in Ireland. The 8th amendment was brought in to prevent abortion in Ireland.
Fast forward 35 years, and over 170,000 women have travelled for abortions with countless more ordering illegal abortion pills online in more recent times.
In Laois alone 43 women made this lonely journey during 2016.
The 8th amendment failed in its purpose: Abortion exists in Ireland. We just access it in two, very different ways.
We either travel, or we risk a 14 year prison sentence to import pills illegally online.
We have seen an absence of care in Ireland for our women over generations.
The 8th Amendment no only fails in its core mandate, it has spilled out beyond its intended constraints to impact a pregnant woman’s consent.
The consent of a pregnant woman is not needed in many cases to carry out medical procedures. By virtue of her pregnancy, her right to make medical decisions about her own body, such as whether or not to have a C-section come second to what doctors insist is best for her child.
After generations of oppression, of Laundries, of symphysiotomies, of marriage bans and jury bans, or unequal pay, we finally have a chance to break the mould.
After a slew of names – known and unknown – that should never have been news, from Ann Lovitt, Savita, Amanda Mellet, Sheila Hodgers to Ms X, Ms Y, Ms D, Ms A and B – we have a chance to say ‘never again’.
Finally, we have chance to stand up for women, to care for women, to trust women.
Compassion
Everybody knows somebody who has had an abortion, whether we are aware of it or not. It could be your neighbour, your sister, your colleague, your friend.
We’ve spent generations refusing to talk about it. We use code: ‘she got herself into trouble’, ‘she took the boat’ and ‘she went to England’.
Abortion is Ireland’s dirty little secret that so many would rather not acknowledge. We have created a sad vacuum, where women are criminalised, victimised and stigmatised for making the decision that was right for them, and their families at that time.
We have turned our backs on these women, left them to seek comfort on friendlier shores. Now we have the chance to be compassionate – a once in a generation chance.
We have a chance to embrace these women, tell them we support them and provide for them, that we will stand by them, no matter what decision they make, because no one can know the unique circumstances of their health, their children, their lives.
Women seek abortion for a variety of reasons. It might be that they cannot afford another mouth to feed, living in emergency accommodation with small children already.
It might be that their partner is abusive and the thought of bringing a child into such an unsafe environment, in any way connected to this man terrifies her.
It might be that her mental health cannot support the strain of pregnancy. It might be that she and her partner are not yet ready to be parents. It might be that she was raped.
We cannot know the multitude of reasons why women – our women of Ireland, of Laois – make these decisions. We cannot judge them.
We must support them in their decisions and show them we care. Show them the compassion that has been so lacking in our society for so long.
Change
Not everyone is comfortable with abortion. And that is fine. That is democratic. People have differing views. A Yes vote does not ask you to change your moral viewpoint on abortion. A Yes vote caters for these differing views.
A Yes vote builds a society where those women who want or need abortion care can access it, and those who do not want or need it, are unaffected.
The shades of grey that make up life are accommodated for. No more do we have a black and white system of controlling women’s lives, with no room for context, no room for compassion.
There will be plenty of women who decide to go through with their pregnancies and go on to be happy, thankful parents.
There will be plenty of women who will choose to go through with their pregnancies even though their child will not survive outside the womb. This will be their personal decision.
A Yes vote allows for this. A Yes vote says, once and for all, that while I, personally, might not agree with abortion, I do not agree with a woman facing a 14 year prison sentence for making the decision that was right for her and her loved ones.
A Yes vote forces no one to go down a road they never wanted to go down, be it a forcible pregnancy or a forcible trip to the UK, finding themselves sitting alone in their bathroom taking a pill or beyond.
A Yes vote is a vote for Care. A Yes vote is a vote for Compassion. A Yes vote is vote for Change.
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Laois Together For Yes will be hosting an Information Evening at 5pm on May 12 in O’Loughlin’s Hotel, Portlaoise.
The event is open to the public and will facilitate a discussion about who the 8th Amendment has affected different people.
We will be joined by actor, comedian and long-time activist Tara Flynn, founding member of termination For Medical Reasons Arlette Lyons and Paula Morrin of Midwives For Choice (AKA @NursePolly).
There will also be a representative from Lawyers For Choice. Laois Together For Yes are also proud to announce that Minister For Justice and local TD Charlie Flanagan will also join us for this event.
We are delighted to have Minister Flanagan’s support locally in this referendum.
SEE ALSO – Fr Paddy: Defending the Eighth Amendment
SEE ALSO – Stomaching the Eighth Amendment – like it or not, abortion exists in Ireland
SEE ALSO – Fr Paddy: A time to vote No …
