The Pro-Choice Alliance Cork condemns Fianna Fail's decision to oppose women's access to their existing constitutional right.

international | gender and sexuality | other press Sunday April 28, 2013 19:34 by Turing

The Pro-Choice Alliance Cork condemns Fianna Fail's decision to oppose women's access to their existing constitutional right. It calls on all parties to face up to their responsibility not just to pass legislation on X but to repeal the 8th Amendment.

Spokeswoman Sandra McAvoy said

"It looks as if church gate collections matter more to Fianna Fail than their responsibilities to the women of Ireland. They took the same position that women had no right to control their fertility during the long fight to legalise contraception. Their Ard Feis vote could hardly have shown more clearly that they are the party of the past. Fianna Fail’s stance is further proof that the major parties lack common sense, compassion, empathy.”

“They have learned nothing about women’s rights to life, health and to make their own decisions, from the scandals of symphysiotomy and Magdalen homes. But then, they have never shown an interest in the needs and interests of our women citizens.”

Cork Pro-Choice Alliance calls on the Irish state to face up to its primary responsibility to women by repealing the 8th Amendment and ensuring that our laws do not force women to become suicidal in the first place.

Sandra McAvoy

“Cases like the X case arise when states deny women (and children) who are pregnant against their will the right to terminations. They are avoided when states recognise women’s right to choose an early abortion. The only way to deal with the suicide issue, or with the myriad of reasons why a women might choose abortion to end a crisis pregnancy is to repeal the 8th Amendment. Those with ears to hear know it has brought anguish and the threat of death and disability to women.”

“It is time to repeal it and introduce legislation that meets women’s needs and reflects twenty-first century knowledge of women’s rights.”

Pro-choice Activist Anne McShane summed things up:

" The pro-life lobby would rather see women take their own life or die in childbirth than allow them basic rights. It is clear they pull key politician's strings. We need an agenda that empowers women, not one decided by politicians or the church. Women in Ireland deserve the right to choose."

Pro-Choice Alliance Cork - Press Release

28th April, 2013