Together for Safety and the Abortion Rights Campaign launch Vote Pro-Choice GE24 Campaign
Abortion is and always will be an election issue because there will always be politicians intent on making it illegal.
Together for Safety and the Abortion Rights Campaign (ARC) have launched their Vote Pro-Choice GE24 campaign.1 With less than a week until polling day on Friday, November 29th, the groups are asking people to vote for pro-choice candidates with the message: “Vote like your rights and the rights of those you love depend on it. Vote like your life and the lives of those you love depend on it.”
While tens of thousands of pregnant people have accessed abortion care in Ireland since the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act came into effect in January 2019, hundreds of pregnant people have still been forced to travel abroad every year for the same care because of our restrictive legislation. People continue to import abortion pills because they cannot travel abroad. It would be easy to assume that since we Repealed the Eighth Amendment in 2018, abortion is no longer an election issue. Yet, the rolling back of reproductive rights worldwide reminds us that we should not get complacent.
Co-convener of Together for Safety, Yvie Murphy, said, “Across the globe, we are seeing a worrying shift in politics and attitudes towards women’s rights and reproductive healthcare. Just recently, in the United States, groups of men and boys have been sharing the phrase, “Your body, My choice” with glee. Who we vote for on November 29th and how they view reproductive rights will have a significant impact on the people in this country and how, or if, they can access abortion healthcare in the coming years.”
As I have previously said, Repealing the Eighth Amendment was only ever the beginning. Abortion is and always will be an election issue because there will always be politicians intent on making it illegal. This is evidenced by Aontú’s proposal to repeal the availability of abortion without restriction as to reason within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.2
Richael Carroll, co-convener of ARC, said the campaign is asking people to vote for pro-choice candidates who will implement the recommendations of the Independent Review of the Operation of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 so that Ireland’s legislation “will fall in line with international best practice.”
The Abortion Rights Campaign has compiled a list of the candidates and their stances on reproductive rights.3 The Vote Pro-Choice: GE24 Candidates’ Stance spreadsheet is available here — https://tinyurl.com/nmkre7pz — and is colour-coded for ease of use.
Green: Supports Free, Safe, Legal, Local and Accessible abortion care.
Yellow: Pro-choice but unlikely to push for greater access or advance the legislation.
Red: Hold views on abortion which do not align with ARC's values.
Grey: ARC could not determine their views on abortion.
My advice is to use this list as a starting point, but contact your local candidates to confirm or double-check their position on improving our abortion legislation. I say this as someone who lives in a strange constituency — I don’t know how else to describe it — when it comes to pro-choice candidates. There was a year when the most pro-choice candidate on my ballot paper was running for Renua (now the Centre Party of Ireland). More than one pro-choice party has fielded anti-choice candidates here over the years.
But What Can I Do?
Donate to abortion funds
In Europe, donate to Supporting Abortions for Everyone (SAFE), Abortion Support Network, Aborcyjny Dream Team, Abortion Network Amsterdam, and Abortion Without Borders.
In the US, the National Network of Abortion Funds lists funds in every state — donating here means your donation supports 90+ organisations.
Share information on how to access abortions
In Ireland, if you are pregnant and do not want to be, or someone you know needs an abortion, the HSE’s MyOptions service will help you find your nearest provider. Freephone 1800 828 010.
The Abortion Rights Campaign has written a blog post about how the legislation works and on what grounds abortion is permissible after the 12-week on-request period has passed — Need an abortion?
In Northern Ireland, Alliance for Choice Belfast and Alliance for Choice Derry have shared information on accessing abortion services in the North.
Alliance for Choice Belfast — I Need An Abortion Now.
Alliance for Choice Derry — Abortion Help.
In Northern Ireland, Lucht Cabhrach Abortion Doulas provide support at home before, during or after your abortion.
Phone 07397 902774 or email abortion@luchtcabhrach.com — What are doulas?
Email allianceforchoicederry@gmail.com to contact Alliance for Choice Derry’s abortion doulas — Our Abortion Doulas.
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) created a guide for supporting someone through an early medical abortion — Supporting someone through their abortion and Supporting someone through their abortion (Leaflet).
Alliance for Choice Derry has gathered information on identifying whether an unplanned or crisis pregnancy service is legitimate or a rogue agency or clinic. While their post focuses on Northern Ireland and Ireland, these tactics are used globally by anti-abortion groups — What is a Rogue Clinic?
In Malta, the Abortion Doula Support Service is a free information service by pro-choice doctors offering advice and support to people needing an abortion — Abortion Doula Support Service.
In Poland, Abortion Dream Team provides advice and support for people seeking abortions, whether at home with abortion pills or travelling abroad for abortion care — Abortion Dream Team.
In the US, ineeda.com provides up-to-date information on how to get an abortion.
Share information on how to access contraception and STI testing
In Ireland, free prescription contraception is available for women, girls, trans and non-binary people aged 17 to 35 — How to access the free contraception scheme.
In Ireland, free STI testing is available at home from SH:24 — Order your free at-home STI tests.
In Northern Ireland, there is a wide variety of contraception available — Contraception and advice.
In Northern Ireland, free STI testing is available at home from SH:24 — Order your free at-home STI tests.
You’ll find Together for Safety and the Abortion Rights Campaign Vote Pro-Choice GE24 social media graphics here if you want to share them.
During the 2018 Oireachtas debates on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill, I wrote about the fact that Irish anti-abortion politicians were hitting every note in the American anti-abortion groups' playbook. Aontú’s insistence that their anti-abortion proposals are because they support disability rights uses these same tactics.
As stated in the spreadsheet, ARC is not endorsing any candidate or political party, and the information gathered is solely about candidates’ stances on abortion.