Ireland's 'quiet revolution' ends the abortion ban

Voters in Ireland made history by repealing the current ban on abortion. Nearly 66.4 percent of voters supported the repeal, in contrast to the 33.6 percent who voted against the repeal. Politico reported that Health Minister Simon Harris has begun writing up legislation and is expected to have the bill passed this year.

The repeal reversed a ban that has been in place since 1983.

The Eighth Amendment said that an unborn child has the same right to life as a pregnant woman. Abortion was only allowed in cases of rape, incest or fetal “abnormalities.” Reuters reported that the turnout was among the highest for a referendum.

The government of Ireland supporting the repeal.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar supported the reversal and said the vote was the culmination of a “quiet revolution,” which has been growing over the past few decades. The repeal comes after Ireland became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote, back in 2015.

While Ireland is a deeply religious country, Ireland managed to legalize divorce by a slim majority in 1995.

The Roman Catholic Church has been weakened by a series of scandals over the last 20 years. Siobhan Donohue, chairwoman for Termination for Medical Reasons, called the result a historic step forward.

Irish citizens forced to travel to Britain to receive an abortion.

Donohue was forced to travel to Britain to have an abortion when her baby diagnosed with a fetal anomaly. Donohue has said while the repeal was successful, the fight is still not over. While Ireland has repealed the ban, Irish citizens will still have to travel to Britain in order to have an abortion, until the law is changed, which could take some time.

According to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service, 10 Irish women a day cross the Irish Sea to receive an abortion and three to five women a day illegally obtain abortion pills.

Anti-abortion groups in Ireland say the results are disappointing. The government is requesting that the law allow access to abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. This has become a major victory for the people of Ireland.

Amnesty International called the result a victory for respect, equality, and dignity. Politico reported that young adult voters offered the most support for the repeal, with nearly 80 percent of those under 34, voting in favor. The end of the ban comes after a lengthy emotional campaign from those against the ban and those working to keep the ban in place.