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NWCI welcomes monumental solidarity for equality and calls for a date for a referendum to repeal the 8th amendment

Published: Monday, May 25, 2015

The National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) today welcomed the momentus landslide victory for marriage equality, and called on the government to build on the movement for equality by naming a date for a repeal of the 8th amendment.

Orla O'Connor, Director of NWCI said,
"The National Women's Council of Ireland welcomes the overwhelmingly strong yes the people of Ireland said to marriage equality. In a campaign where so many women played a key role, from the headline figures to the mothers, grandmothers, friends and family determined that the Ireland of today would be different from the dark days of the past, women led the way and inspired the victory."

Orla O'Connor continued,
"As hundreds of people came home to vote, in such inspirational scenes, there were 12 women quietly leaving Ireland on lonely Ryanair flights travelling to the UK and further afield for an abortion. There were poor women, or migrant women dangerously trying to end their pregnancies, because they could not afford to travel. Amidst the celebrations in Dublin Castle, these women were remembered, and many people approached me saying they were ready and willing to work for the repeal of Article 40.3.3."

Orla O'Connor concluded,
"The 8th Amendment is unjust and dangerous; it creates a medically unworkable distinction between a mother's life and a mothers' health. We welcome the Tánaiste’s comments on RTE’s, ‘The Week In Politics’ yesterday, throwing Labour's support behind a repeal of the 8th amendment, and note that other parties such as Sinn Féin, AAA and many independents also support a repeal, as do the vast majority of the public, according to opinion polls. Women cannot wait for another tragedy before we take action. We cannot walk the streets, chanting "Never Again" one more time. Building on the huge support for equality shown over the weekend by the people of Ireland, we call on the government to name a date to repeal the 8th Amendment."


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For more information, please call Sarah Clarkin, Communications Officer at NWCI 085 861 9087