As in recent years we know that Ireland is changed entirely. But, when we talk about the rights of women we see that it is still in the dark ages in the north and south of the Border. As Ireland ban on abortion which is caused one of the biggest disputes to women because many Irish women travel to Europe countries for abortion.
Abortion was forbidden in Ireland in 1861. The “right to life of the unborn” is preserved in the constitution. The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) estimates the abortion rate that at least 138,000 women have travelled abroad, mainly to England, since 1980 to get abortions. This abortion rate is much higher, although abortion is restricted in Ireland but still it contains much abortion rate. The women bear higher cost of abortion, like flights charges, transport charges, some women have no cars living in rural areas. Several of the women cannot afford the cost of abortion borrow amount for abortion.
In Ireland and NI has an awfully restrictive law on abortion. This law allows abortion only when the life of the woman is in danger. However, it creates difficult situations to the women when abortion is unavailable in Ireland in almost all circumstances due to vagueness about when a physician may legally perform a life-saving operation. The law also fails to make any provision for a woman who is pregnant as a consequence of rape or incest, experiencing severe fatal abnormality or at risk of permanent bodily harm such as blindness, diabetes, kidney or heart disease. According to the estimations of abortion rate that over 7,000 women travel each year to England for abortions and bear the cost of abortion and other transport expenses from the Ireland. It is difficult to come to know about the abortion rate that is taking place in the Ireland excluding in very dreadful and outstanding situation, we did not hear ever that the abortion procedure or method affect the health of women that suffer from the miscarriages or abortions. However it is not possible to know about the abortion rate of women that bear the cost of abortion outside the Ireland and go other countries in Europe for abortions.
The abortion ban in Ireland is dangerous for the physical health of the women. Sometimes abortion is necessary to be performed but ban creates the abortion procedure longer which creates serious emotional upset. In Ireland women and girls do not have much human right when they become pregnant.
Some of the major problem faces by Irish women:
Women that belong to Ireland and NI have claim that there is a lack of any effective remedy at home and Irish law is insufficient. The Irish women’s criticisms that some of the women human rights regarding to abortion are being violated because Ireland’s abortion ban violates their right to privacy in all family, home and personal interests. This ban also breaks their right to be free from inhumane and degrading treatment because women seeking abortions are stigmatized and suffer increased feelings of guilt, as well as difficulty securing follow-up care. The ban contravenes their right to life because the Irish government has not provided any clear legislation about when abortion may be legally carried out under the exception reserved for saving the mother’s life. The also women claim that Irish abortion law distinguishes on the basis of sex and financial status. Thus, the women argue that forced travel and childbirth, endangerment of pregnant women’s lives and inequity based on sex and financial status violate their rights.
Some of the public opinions:
A 1997 Irish Times/MRBI survey originate that 18% believe that abortion should never be permitted, 77% believed that it should be allowed in certain circumstances.
A September 2005 Irish Examiner/Lansdowne census create that 36% believe abortion should be legalized while 47% do not.
Survey search:
According to the survey about 95% (north Ireland women) support the extension to Northern Ireland of the British 1967 Abortion Act under which they accessed their abortion in Britain.
Estimation is conducted that 95% preferred to have their abortion in Northern Ireland. Because of the high cost of abortion almost half (44%) had to borrow money. It is not possible to predict about the real change in the Ireland happening any time soon. We intend to concentrate on women in Northern Ireland to look at their specific role within this society how that role is restrictive and the reason why.