Dublin buildings will light up Green for International Safe Abortion Day
Published: Monday, September 28, 2026
The National Women’s Council (NWC) is delighted to have coordinated the illumination of public buildings, including the Mansion House and Trinity College in Dublin, as part of a European-wide initiative to mark International Safe Abortion Day today (28th September 2026). The illumination is an initiative in partnership with the Center for Reproductive Rights and other organisations working for reproductive rights across Europe. The illumination will see buildings in over 10 locations across Europe, including London, Paris, Barcelona and Geneva lit in green this evening to highlight that reproductive rights are human rights.
NWC is deeply disappointed that the illumination of Belfast City Hall that had been voted on by Belfast City Council has been halted and will now not go ahead.
Unsafe abortion remains a leading but preventable cause of maternal death worldwide. International Safe Abortion Day is a Global Day of Action to demand access to safe and legal abortion care everywhere. It is commemorated by the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and governments across the world.
Corrinne Hasson, Executive Director, National Women’s Council, said:
“No one should be denied abortion care based on who they are, where they live or what they can afford. Tonight's initiative is an important reminder of the long and difficult campaign for reproductive rights and an opportunity to highlight the gaps in abortion services that remain. As always, we affirm our solidarity with women and pregnant people in Ireland, Northern Ireland, Europe and globally who have experienced and continue to experience barriers to abortion care.”
She continued,
“In recent years in Ireland, we have seen huge progress in relation to women's access to reproductive healthcare, yet gaps remain. In 2026, it is beyond unacceptable that 240 women in Ireland a year are still left with no choice but to travel for abortion. Travelling for healthcare is inherently less safe. Many of these women travel in difficult and heartbreaking circumstances, such as in the case of fatal foetal anomaly.
Similarly in Northern Ireland, women and pregnant people seeking abortion still experience unnecessary delays and continuous harassment. This needs to end. We’re deeply disappointed that the illumination of Belfast City Hall, which was voted on and passed by the Council, has been halted. The right to access healthcare, including abortion, is essential for women’s right and equality and should not be up for debate.”
In addition to the Mansion House and Trinity College in Dublin, public buildings will light up green in the following locations: London, Barcelona, Paris, Brussels, Edinburgh, Bratislava, Geneva, Zagreb, Yerevan, Augsburg, Pula, Büdelsdorf and Recklinghausen.
In Belfast, Alliance for Choice will project the short film “A History in Numbers” for Global Safe Abortion Day on 28th September, as well as materials from the Women's Global Network For Reproductive Rights and the Center for Reproductive Rights. This will join the illumination of landmarks all over the world, in support of safe abortion access. The film projection will take place at The MAC Belfast from 7-8 pm.
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