Many laws in various countries prohibit abortion and it is even criminalised in some constitutions. Like Ireland.
According to Express.co.uk, Ireland criminalised abortion under the Eighth Amendment which was written to into the constitution after the 1983 referendum which sought protection of life of the unborn child.
However, women who were at a fatal risk during the pregnancy could travel to other countries to get an abortion. Reportedly, 1,70,000 women have travelled to London to get abortions.
In 2012, 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar, died in a hospital in Galway because she was refused an abortion during a miscarriage.
After reviewing her case, the health service reviewers found flaws in her care. This, in turn, led to an amendment of the law which allowed medical practitioners to terminate the pregnancy under certain restricted circumstances.
But the risk to the medical practitioners was high, in case they made a wrongful termination decision.
When the court had to compensate a woman for the trauma she suffered while travelling to Britain for an abortion in 2016, the need for another amendment of the law was felt.
A public referendum had to be held before new laws could be passed due to the Eighth Amendment. The date for the referendum was set to be May 25th, with both parties – #RepealThe8th and #SaveTheEighth fighting fiercely.
Remember this when they're looking for your votes #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/5CVDNPNPNq
— Barry O'Rourke (@orourke28) May 25, 2018
Finally, the exit polls suggested that Ireland had voted to repeal the Eighth Amendment.
According to exit polls, Ireland's abortion laws will be repealed. Ireland has done it. This matters for all women, everywhere. #RepealedThe8th ??? pic.twitter.com/3tdolcXGro
— Jenna is staying at home (@jenENGL6) May 25, 2018
Charlotte Morabito, a Twitter user beautifully penned everything you must know about this whole movement.
1. Beginning from what sparked the debate.
As Ireland goes #hometovote to #RepealThe8th today, please remember Savita Halappanavar who died of sepsis after being denied an abortion for a pregnancy even after doctors said miscarriage was inevitable. Her death was a catalyst for this referendum. She was 31. pic.twitter.com/EcZm95xrEl
— Charlotte Morabito (@MorabitoCM) May 25, 2018
2. To what happens now that Ireland has voted Yes.
The current laws being discussed would allow abortions up to 12 weeks without doctor authorization. Women who are more than 12 weeks would require 2 doctors to agree the mother's life is at risk or that the fetus would not survive outside of the womb. #RepealThe8th
— Charlotte Morabito (@MorabitoCM) May 25, 2018
3. And yet, explaining how this is just the beginning of a new fight…
This #repeal is just a first step, not the end of the marathon. This reminds me so much of Roe. The mistake pro-choice activists made in America with #RoevWade was believing that they had finally won. Roe was actually just the beginning of a new stage in the fight.
— Charlotte Morabito (@MorabitoCM) May 25, 2018
People of Ireland are rejoicing in the decision and it really seems to be the first step towards freedom of choice. #RepealedThe8th has been trending since.
1. In the end, it was all worth it.
Savita. We said never again, and we meant it. We said we'd never forget, and we never will. #REPEALEDTHE8TH pic.twitter.com/Jw3C7L0JRI
— Carolyn Moore (@carolynmoore_ie) May 25, 2018
2. Not forgetting, not forgiving.
It was for you. We never forgot, or forgave #repealEDthe8th pic.twitter.com/2n4rCxRISN
— Rebecca Moynihan (@RebeccaMoy) May 25, 2018
3. A big step for a tiny nation that will inspire a global change.
Every Irish person should feel proud today as one of the final bastions of our religious-inspired conservative past is repealed! We’re a tiny nation unrecognisable when compared to as little as 5 years ago. Self- determination Gender recognition, marriage equality #RepealedThe8th
— Toryn CaitrÃona Glavin (@torynglavin) May 25, 2018
4. Time for a new Ireland.
https://twitter.com/MD2b_/status/1000161739273658369
It is things like these and movements of a revolution that reinforce my belief that winds of change are really upon us. And that there is still a slight hope of a better future for all of mankind.