The history of the Eighth Amendment

The history of the Eighth Amendment

This year our long-standing catholic country Ireland finally legalised abortion. This year was arguably a momentous year for Ireland, as many felt that it was a legislation that should have been passed years ago. It’s abhorrent to some of our citizens that it took until 2018 to legalise abortion!
1983 TO 2018
So let’s have a quick summary of our abortion laws through the years: In 1983 the 8th amendment was passed, which meant that a pregnant woman could get an abortion, but only if her life was at risk. In 1992 the 13th Amendment was passed and women were then allowed to travel to the UK to get an abortion. In 2012, the abortion bill was brought to the proposed legislation and debated, then later rejected by 110 to 20 votes. In 2014, there was a petition to repeal the 8th, and this brought about change – skip ahead to the present day, with the 8th Amendment being repealed. The bill was passed by an astounding 66%!! This speaks volumes about the current state of mind in the Republic of Ireland, and the public’s impatience and desire to distance themselves both from the Catholic Church and from any and all legislative mistakes of the past.

What does this mean for women in the present day??
There is now a certain respect for women in terms of the decisions they make. There is no more unnecessary shame or embarrassment from women in Ireland. They no longer have to endure lonely, heart-breaking journeys to the UK. There will be less secrecy in their lives as they know they can speak out for themselves now. Women will not have health professionals in their own country tell them that there is nothing they can do. They now know that Ireland stand by the decision that they decided to make. It now shows that there is gender equality. Women now can have safe abortions, planned through their own medical centres. It also means women’s health is priority numero uno! Especially significant is this point, as both physical and mental health have been put under strain in the past for the women of Ireland. These women now have the support they need and deserve, where in times gone by, they might have had nowhere to go or nobody to turn to.
A personal stance
People have their own values and traditions in life, but one should never push their views on anybody else., which had been the case here in Ireland for far too long. In the case of abortion, it is a personal decision and someone who is pregnant should be allowed to make their own decision when it comes to their life and their body. There is an emotional and insightful page on Facebook entitled “In her Shoes”. I implore everyone reading to go check it out!! It is home to some of the most real and heart wrenching stories you will read. Women in Ireland should feel comfortable and safe in their decision. Women should not have to go through mental torture, before, during and after an abortion. Now there has been a breakthrough! Let’s keep advancing ladies!
References:
Thejournal.ie
BBC website