My original WATWB post was drafted and ready to go early this month, for a change—and then I found out somewhere that Ireland was due to vote Friday on a referendum for legalizing abortion, and on a whim I decided to hold the post until the results came in. I wasn't very hopeful, given Ireland's long history of religious bias against women (this is, after all, the country where divorce was not just impossible but unconstitutional up until 1996!), but... what if it did happen? Wouldn't that be the mother (pardon the pun) of all extraordinarily good news?
Against all odds, history was made. In a landslide vote, Ireland has repealed the Eight Amendment of their constitution to make abortion legal. The foremost Catholic country of the West has—finally!—recognized that a woman's body is her own, not a breeding machine over which the state, or anyone else, has any jurisdiction.
"This vote is about a rejection of an Ireland that treated women as second-class citizens."
"Women have found their voices. One of the fantastic things in this whole campaign has been it's been led by women, it's been led largely by young women, and they've been articulate, they've been honest, they've told about their own experiences, and that's made a huge difference."
This excellent post by Carol Drinkwater on The History Girls explains the issue beautifully. Thank you so much for sharing this link, Hilary!
A huge Bravo! to the people of Ireland for this landmark victory, and hats off to the bravery of everyone who campaigned for Yes. We're one country closer to a world where no woman ever need know the shame and stigma of being judged for making a choice which is uniquely hers to make.
This post is part of the We Are The World blogfest, the brainchild of Belinda Witzenhausen and aimed at spreading light in a world where darkness and negativity too often seem to have the upper hand. This month's co-hosts: Shilpa Garg, Peter Nena, Inderpreet Kaur, Damyanti Biswas, and Andrea Michaels.
Come join us, and help shine a spotlight on stories that showcase the power of empathy and respect.
Hi Guilie - yes, the yes vote to get the law changed is a huge plus for all women in Ireland (though Northern Ireland still has to change - it's laws aren't even compatible with the British one: we live in constitutional muddle at times!)- but it looks like later in the year the bill will be put forward for approval by Parliament and then get legalised.
ReplyDeleteAmazing campaign ... I won't go on ... just wonderful it has happened. Thanks for highlighting it - cheers Hilary
my #WATWB http://positiveletters.blogspot.ca/2018/05/we-are-world-blogfest-14-paying-it.html
I know, right?! This is a wonderful win for women, and it's so amazing to see Ireland stepping up to make the right call. Who would've thought? I'm celebrating :)
DeleteHi Guilie ... I know the die is cast - and the vote will get the regulations changed ... but thought this background might add if people are interested:
ReplyDeleteFrom Carol Drinkwater - I knew her as an author, but see she's an actress too ... but she explains the Irish vote:
http://the-history-girls.blogspot.ca/2018/05/home-to-vote-by-carol-drinkwater.html
Hope you don't mind ... cheers Hilary
Thank you so much for this, Hilary! The article is brilliant—hope you don't mind if I add it to the main post. Thanks for sharing it!
DeleteAm delighted you included it in the main body of your post - one good thing that's happening ... cheers Hilary
DeleteThank God.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie Junebug
Or, you know, the people who made it happen ;)
DeleteThanks for the visit, Janie!
I'd like to have something deep and philosophical to add, but I don't.
ReplyDeleteAll people should have choice.
Can't agree more, Andrew :) Thanks for coming by!
DeleteHi Guilie,
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a great revolution. It's a question of the freedom to make an informed choice, and I am glad that women of Ireland have finally won it.
By the way, you might know that, this issue has a remote Indian connection.
In 2012, Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist, originally from the state of Karnataka in India, where I live, died from infection after a miscarriage. She had pleaded for abortion but was refused. Her passing had galvanised the movement that has now successfully achieved the objective.
Savita's parents live in India, and they are enormously glad about the outcome of the referendum.
- Pradeep
Savita's story is well known indeed, Pradeep, and I think it was instrumental in achieving this. Such a tragedy that she had to die; at least her death was not in vain, and has now been honored in the changes to the Irish constitution. It's not quite justice, but... well, it's something :)
DeleteThanks so much for coming by!
I'm blushing at my own ignorance. Yes, I know, stupid American. I didn't even know that it was illegal until I heard the news about the vote, because in my way of thinking - how could it be? That's freedom with our bodies to choose what happens to it. I'm so grateful their voices were heard.
ReplyDeleteElsie
I don't think this is weird at all, Elsie... After all, it's a European country we're talking about. It's only a logical assumption that the basic liberties and rights would be respected there. As you say, how could it be? Which just serves to underline how absolutely arcane and outdated this whole constitutional ban was, from the beginning. Glad it's finally over.
DeleteThanks for coming by!