By Sara Girardi
When thinking of women’s rights, many things may spring to mind. We sometimes consider issues of equal pay or historical issues regarding the right to vote or own property. Today, one of the biggest issues is abortion law. In general, this comes along with discussions of a woman’s bodily autonomy and whether the government has the right to regulate women’s bodies. Many women feel that it is unjust to have decisions about their bodies made by a government that is, by and large, composed of men. Many rallies and movements have worked to ensure that abortion is legal and that women have the right to make their own decisions, otherwise referred to as being pro-choice.
The pro-choice mentality is opposed by those with a pro-life standpoint. These people do not believe in any form of abortion, whether it be for religious or political reasons, and think women should carry the fetus to term. With this said, the legalization of abortion does not require these individuals to violate their morals; it merely helps guarantee that these morals are not imposed on others.
Canada was one of the first countries to legalize abortion, and since then, many other countries have followed suit. In recent news, Ireland seems to have taken a similar step by legalizing the medical procedure for the entire country. Though abortion practices will not be free for those with health coverages as they are in Canada, the legalization still remains monumental for the country.
The allowance of abortion in the Republic of Ireland was signed into law on September 18th, 2018, and the procedure itself became available to the public January 1st of the New Year. This represented a huge turning point for women’s rights within the country: before this amendment, abortion was illegal in all cases except those in which the fetus comprised the life of the mother, meaning a pro-choice standpoint was not legally supported. In September of last year, 66.4% percent of voters voted to change this law and supported the legalization of abortion. All age groups, except that of 65 years and older, had a majority vote of “yes”, representing a huge victory for women within the country. This decision reinforced the pro-choice mentality that is becoming increasingly popular within today’s society.
Ireland’s decision has clear implications for women’s rights to choose. Rather than being required by law to give birth, women are now legally entitled to choose their own course of action. This amendment has given women the right to make decisions regarding their own bodies and the fetuses they may house. Ultimately, this eliminates any power the government previously had when it came to abortion decision making.
Additionally, this legalization also largely eradicates any backdoor abortions that may have been taking place before this. These procedures would not have been medically sound and would endanger the life of the woman. Now, any potential complications arising from illegitimate abortions can be mostly avoided and we can ensure the safety of these women both during and after aborting a fetus.
The legalization of abortion in Ireland represents a huge leap forward in the fight for women’s rights and will hopefully act as a precedent for other countries. With changes like this, sexual and reproductive health rights have a promising future.
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