I am currently in the Netherlands, staying in my boyfriends family home. Last night at dinner, I told them about Ireland's struggle for abortion rights. I told them about religion, prejudice, the leaders, and a lack of education (no, full born babies aren't thrown into buckets, like I was brought up to believe).
They looked at me like I was crazy.
We are so behind in this aspect. I firmly believe that a lack of education is to blame. If people knew the science behind it (this is a good post to read. There is also a theory that human life doesn't begin until brain activity, but there is no one point that seems to be universally agreed upon for life to begin), it would end pointless shaming and horror stories.
Though, what also won't help us, is our new leader. It is frustrating as worldwide media is celebrating that Ireland's new leader is young, gay and half Indian. Perhaps this would be worthy of celebration if the citizens of Ireland actually voted him in, showing tolerance and acceptance. In actuality, Ireland had no say in its new leader. Even he himself has said “I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician, for that matter. It’s just part of who I am. It doesn’t define me" (source).
Ireland has been presented to the world as progressive and exciting, whilst Varadkar will pull us back, especially in our fight for abortion rights.
“I consider myself pro-life, as I accept that the unborn is a human life with rights and I do not support abortion on request or on demand. I also stated and sincerely believe that this is an issue where there are few certainties and where families and doctors often find themselves having to making extremely difficult ethical and clinical decisions.” As Minister for Health in the Dáil, January 2015 (Source). Let's dissect this quote first. The term 'pro-life' aggravates me greatly. The term is wholly misogynistic. Who's life is he talking about? The one of an embryo or fetus. Because why would the life of a woman matter? I am also unhappy with what he is implying with abortion 'on request or on demand'. Unless the woman is going to die, she cannot have an abortion. So if she wants an abortion due to traumatic experiences such as abuse and rape, she has no right to demand it. "I wouldn’t be in favor of it in that case, and, you know, first of all, it isn’t the child’s fault that they’re the child of rape” (Source). How is this pro any life? At best, you are pro birth. You want to force a woman to go through an unwanted pregnancy, which is unethical, and then you don't care about the child's life afterwards. We can see this with Varadkar's classicism and views on welfare. "Varadkar is intent on the project of demonising people on welfare. He recently fronted a €200,000 (£175,000) campaign with the catchy slogan Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All and a handy snitching hotline. This is despite the fact that there has been only one case of suspected identity fraud this year" (Source). He also ignores the fact that women travel out of Ireland to secure abortions, and does not address the fact that many poor pregnant people may not be able to afford to travel for an abortion (but of course will be perfectly fit to financially care for a baby, it seems to magically happen when one becomes pregnant). When alerted to the fact that an estimated 5,000 women travel from Ireland to Britain for abortions every year, Varadkar said that he saw no double standard on the issue.
“People travel overseas to do things overseas that aren’t legal in Ireland all the time. You know, are we going to stop people going to Las Vegas? Are we going to stop people going to Amsterdam? There are things that are illegal in Ireland and we don’t prevent people from traveling overseas to avail of them” (Source). I angrily tweeted about this the other day, frustrated that he was dismissive and missed the point. "Does he not see how different that (above quote) is(?) Don't stop people travelling, just give them adequate healthcare and rights." "... abortion is a human right, drugs (recreational), gambling etc is a luxury" (Source).
There is also a piece here where Varadkar has reduced people wanting and needing free public services such as healthcare and education to an entitlement culture, instead of considering the apparently outlandish notion that there are people in Ireland who are struggling to make ends meet and simply cannot afford necessary services without systems such as welfare (which he has made clear he is not a fan of). To me, this is worryingly right-wing. This type of politics is seeing it's effect in America, where is disproportionately not only effects women's healthcare and rights, but people of low incomes and colour, to the point that affording medication is a privilege rather than a right that should be a certain for everybody.
It is argued that Mr. Varadkar is one of the most conservative leaders we have had in recent times. If he had been up for public scrutiny and forced to reveal all his intended policies to the public due to a democratic vote, would he be currently sitting at the Taoiseach's desk? I'm not sure. The Irish youth is generally liberal, and growing loud. One thing for sure is that we are already wary of him, and rather unhappy at his 'election'. Our voices will remain loud, but unfortunately we will have to change our catchy chant, "Enda, Enda, where's our referenda?".
If you want to get an early start on pressuring Leo to finally give us a fair referendum, you can use this template to write to him.
To finish, yes, I am pro-choice. This does not necessarily mean pro-abortion. Abortion is a difficult decision to make, and no, it's not particularly a nice thing. But it's the best thing for some, and ethical up until a certain time. Education and easy access to contraception largely reduces abortion rates, even in countries that have freely accessible abortion, as seen by the Netherlands. If those who call themselves pro-lifers actually care about life, perhaps they could increase education, and access to abortion and contraception. It does wonders rather than people dying due to self abortions or being forced to travel for abortion or birthing a baby they do not want. Just educate people and allow people to make an often difficult medical decision at home in a safe place. After all, I and my fellow people are more important than an unborn and undeveloped fetus. We want our rights (Source). Please take note, Leo.
I am open to discussions, but I am not going to accept people refusing my rights (Leo, will you stop denying me my human rights? Here is the piece if you missed it earlier or do not believe me https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/06/irelands-ban-on-abortion-violates-human-rights/ ).
Come say hi;
Twitter; @justaoifethings
Facebook; Justaoifethings
Instagram; Justaoifethings
They looked at me like I was crazy.
We are so behind in this aspect. I firmly believe that a lack of education is to blame. If people knew the science behind it (this is a good post to read. There is also a theory that human life doesn't begin until brain activity, but there is no one point that seems to be universally agreed upon for life to begin), it would end pointless shaming and horror stories.
Though, what also won't help us, is our new leader. It is frustrating as worldwide media is celebrating that Ireland's new leader is young, gay and half Indian. Perhaps this would be worthy of celebration if the citizens of Ireland actually voted him in, showing tolerance and acceptance. In actuality, Ireland had no say in its new leader. Even he himself has said “I’m not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician, for that matter. It’s just part of who I am. It doesn’t define me" (source).
Ireland has been presented to the world as progressive and exciting, whilst Varadkar will pull us back, especially in our fight for abortion rights.
“I consider myself pro-life, as I accept that the unborn is a human life with rights and I do not support abortion on request or on demand. I also stated and sincerely believe that this is an issue where there are few certainties and where families and doctors often find themselves having to making extremely difficult ethical and clinical decisions.” As Minister for Health in the Dáil, January 2015 (Source). Let's dissect this quote first. The term 'pro-life' aggravates me greatly. The term is wholly misogynistic. Who's life is he talking about? The one of an embryo or fetus. Because why would the life of a woman matter? I am also unhappy with what he is implying with abortion 'on request or on demand'. Unless the woman is going to die, she cannot have an abortion. So if she wants an abortion due to traumatic experiences such as abuse and rape, she has no right to demand it. "I wouldn’t be in favor of it in that case, and, you know, first of all, it isn’t the child’s fault that they’re the child of rape” (Source). How is this pro any life? At best, you are pro birth. You want to force a woman to go through an unwanted pregnancy, which is unethical, and then you don't care about the child's life afterwards. We can see this with Varadkar's classicism and views on welfare. "Varadkar is intent on the project of demonising people on welfare. He recently fronted a €200,000 (£175,000) campaign with the catchy slogan Welfare Cheats Cheat Us All and a handy snitching hotline. This is despite the fact that there has been only one case of suspected identity fraud this year" (Source). He also ignores the fact that women travel out of Ireland to secure abortions, and does not address the fact that many poor pregnant people may not be able to afford to travel for an abortion (but of course will be perfectly fit to financially care for a baby, it seems to magically happen when one becomes pregnant). When alerted to the fact that an estimated 5,000 women travel from Ireland to Britain for abortions every year, Varadkar said that he saw no double standard on the issue.
“People travel overseas to do things overseas that aren’t legal in Ireland all the time. You know, are we going to stop people going to Las Vegas? Are we going to stop people going to Amsterdam? There are things that are illegal in Ireland and we don’t prevent people from traveling overseas to avail of them” (Source). I angrily tweeted about this the other day, frustrated that he was dismissive and missed the point. "Does he not see how different that (above quote) is(?) Don't stop people travelling, just give them adequate healthcare and rights." "... abortion is a human right, drugs (recreational), gambling etc is a luxury" (Source).
There is also a piece here where Varadkar has reduced people wanting and needing free public services such as healthcare and education to an entitlement culture, instead of considering the apparently outlandish notion that there are people in Ireland who are struggling to make ends meet and simply cannot afford necessary services without systems such as welfare (which he has made clear he is not a fan of). To me, this is worryingly right-wing. This type of politics is seeing it's effect in America, where is disproportionately not only effects women's healthcare and rights, but people of low incomes and colour, to the point that affording medication is a privilege rather than a right that should be a certain for everybody.
It is argued that Mr. Varadkar is one of the most conservative leaders we have had in recent times. If he had been up for public scrutiny and forced to reveal all his intended policies to the public due to a democratic vote, would he be currently sitting at the Taoiseach's desk? I'm not sure. The Irish youth is generally liberal, and growing loud. One thing for sure is that we are already wary of him, and rather unhappy at his 'election'. Our voices will remain loud, but unfortunately we will have to change our catchy chant, "Enda, Enda, where's our referenda?".
If you want to get an early start on pressuring Leo to finally give us a fair referendum, you can use this template to write to him.
To finish, yes, I am pro-choice. This does not necessarily mean pro-abortion. Abortion is a difficult decision to make, and no, it's not particularly a nice thing. But it's the best thing for some, and ethical up until a certain time. Education and easy access to contraception largely reduces abortion rates, even in countries that have freely accessible abortion, as seen by the Netherlands. If those who call themselves pro-lifers actually care about life, perhaps they could increase education, and access to abortion and contraception. It does wonders rather than people dying due to self abortions or being forced to travel for abortion or birthing a baby they do not want. Just educate people and allow people to make an often difficult medical decision at home in a safe place. After all, I and my fellow people are more important than an unborn and undeveloped fetus. We want our rights (Source). Please take note, Leo.
I am open to discussions, but I am not going to accept people refusing my rights (Leo, will you stop denying me my human rights? Here is the piece if you missed it earlier or do not believe me https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/06/irelands-ban-on-abortion-violates-human-rights/ ).
Come say hi;
Twitter; @justaoifethings
Facebook; Justaoifethings
Instagram; Justaoifethings
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