For over 40 years, the Dublin Well Woman Centre has listened to, fought for, and supported women with crisis pregnancies.
We offer a non-directive crisis pregnancy counselling service, in which our professional counsellors discuss 3 options – abortion, adoption and parenting – with a woman, while supporting her to make the best decision in relation to her pregnancy and her life.
Every day, at least 9 women travel abroad to access an abortion, and at least 3 order abortion pills, illegally, online. Abortion is a reality in Ireland, even if many abortions take place in England, or in other countries.
At present, women in Ireland are having abortions later than necessary, and they are having more surgical abortions than necessary. This is linked to the amount of time it takes for them to make travel plans and put together the money to travel, which pushes their pregnancy later than the stage at which the abortion pill is prescribed.
Growing numbers are deciding not to travel, and are instead putting their health and their lives at risk at home by taking illegal abortion pills in secret, without a doctor’s involvement.
Abortion is a sensitive subject for many, but it is part of the lived reality of women’s lives in Ireland. It needs to be brought out of the shadows – where it is currently secret, dangerous and illegal – and to be provided by doctors in a regulated manner, as part of healthcare services in this country.
As a long-standing women’s healthcare provider, and a member of Together for Yes, we support the removal of the 8thAmendment from the Constitution, in order to change our abortion laws and protect women’s health.
Voting Yes to remove the 8thAmendment on 25thMay will mean –
- That a woman can make her own personal decisions about her own life and health, and with the support of her healthcare practitioner.
- That doctors and medical staff can provide women and girls with care, without fear of breaking the law
- That abortion care will be safe and regulated, and provided in line with best medical practice
- That a woman who is pregnant as a result of rape, or who has received a diagnosis of a fatal foetal abnormality, will be able to access the care she needs, without the added stress of travelling
- That control of women’s healthcare will be removed from the Constitution, and will be decided by a woman and her doctor
Sometimes a personal and private matter needs public support.
Please vote Yes on 25thMay.