As transport and travel services are cancelled and curtailed, it emphasises why we must remove the E

Published: Thursday, March 01, 2018

The National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) today said that as transport and travel services are cancelled and curtailed it emphasises why we must remove the Eighth Amendment from the Constitution and recognise the need for abortion care in Ireland. 

Orla O’Connor, Director of NWCI said,

“As airports close, and flights, trains and buses are cancelled due to Storm Emma, it is a stark reminder of the challenges for women with a crisis pregnancy trying to travel to access abortion care. The Eighth Amendment means that women and girls who need to end a pregnancy must travel outside Ireland, or order pills online, to do so. On days like today, with flights and ferries cancelled, we can see clearly that the importance of the summer referendum to remove the Eighth Amendment, so that we can introduce a caring and compassionate reproductive healthcare system for women in Ireland. For the women and couples travelling this week to access abortion care, often in secrecy and at a high personal cost, the weather will only increase the uncertainty and worry they face at this vulnerable time.”

Orla O’Connor concluded,

“Each person or couple needing to end a pregnancy has diverse and deeply personal needs and reasons. Their contraception might have failed, or a woman may be pregnant as a result of rape. All pregnancies are different and all decisions are personal; medical professionals in Ireland should be able to care for all women who are pregnant in this country.”

“This means that we must remove the Eighth Amendment to end unregulated abortions in Ireland today, where women order abortion pills online or travel abroad for abortions without the necessary medical follow up, and ensure that we introduce a regulated and safe system, where women and girls have access to the whole range of healthcare options that they need. Comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all women includes abortion care. Repealing the Eighth Amendment is the first step to meaningful and controlled change.”

NWCI has developed the Every Woman Healthcare Model – Accessible, affordable healthcare options for all women and girls. More information is available on www.everywoman.nwci.ie

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For more information, please contact Sarah Clarkin, Communications and Social Media Officer, National Women’s Council of Ireland, 085 86 19 087