Thousands took to the streets of Dublin yesterday in protest against the ban on abortion, which has been illegal since 1983.
The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution formally banned legal abortion in a ruling that recognised a right to life of a woman’s unborn child.
We stand in solidarity with all the marchers in Dublin and around the world. #repealthe8th #arcmarch16 #global8 pic.twitter.com/eBZ95clRHW
— Rise&RepealParis (@RepealParis) September 24, 2016
Irish women have since been forced to venture abroad if they wish to undergo the procedure, and many argue that they have been denied fair and safe access to their medical rights.
Dublin is not the only city to have joined the cause, with marches and messages of support making their way from Paris, Berlin and even Nepal.
Women of Ireland & Nepal unite to call upon the Irish government to #repealthe8th @repealglobal @repealeight pic.twitter.com/CgduTiiE4F
— Tricia Kehoe (@triciamkehoe) September 24, 2016
The UK’s Abortion Act 1967 did not extend to Northern Ireland, where the practice also remains illegal except for in specific cases where women are at probable risk of serious mental or physical harm.
Berlin supporting Irelands march for Choice today at an abandoned airport - repeal the 8th so women can abandon airports too! #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/5zGysxZA7o
— Orlaith Hendron (@orlaith_hendron) September 24, 2016
The movement has also been active in recent weeks against Poland’s possible decision to create a total ban against abortion, in legislation which could extend the severely-restrictive laws already in place there.
Solidarity in London. @RepealLondon #repealthe8th #marchforchoice #notacriminal pic.twitter.com/eOxAunghDu
— Felicity Hayes-McCoy (@fhayesmccoy) September 24, 2016
If the staunchly Catholic nation bows to pressure from its Stop Abortion activists, the country would become only the third European state to introduce such a law after Malta and Vatican City.
If you can't make it today we will #countyourfeet with ours, please retweet & tweet as much as you can, let's not be #Poland #repealthe8th
— polly molotov 💖 (@NursepollyRgn) September 24, 2016
