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In Ireland, 2018, a constitutional ban that equated the life of a woman to the life of a fertilised embryo was overturned and abortion was finally legalised. This victory for the Irish feminist movement set the country alight with euphoria. But the celebrations were short-lived - the new legislation turned out to be one of the most conservative in Europe. This book tells the story of the Repeal campaign through the lens of the activists.The authors trace the shocking history of the origins of the eighth amendment, which was drawn up in fear of a tide of liberal reforms across Europe. They draw out the lessons learned through the decades and from the groundbreaking campaign in 2018, which was an inspiring example of modern grassroots activism. They also recount the tensions between a medicalised approach and reproductive justice approach to abortion, as well as the harsh effect of the campaign on the health of activists.Grounded in a radical feminist politics, this book is an honest and inspirational account of a movement that is only just beginning.
List of contents
Foreword Ruth CoppingerIntroduction: The unsung labourers behind the stage1. Reframing the 'Pro-choice' paradigm2. Ireland's dark history on reproductive justice (with Sinead Kennedy)3. After the Eighth, the slow movement for Repeal (by Sinead Kennedy)4. No quiet revolution - the grassroots gathers5. 'We love the cause - but we're not so happy 'bout the message!'6. Organising the ranks - Together for Yes take charge7. 2018 to the present day8. We're tired! Activist burnout and the toll of Repeal9. Ireland's reproductive rights movement todayConclusion: Beyond a rights-based approach
About the author
Camilla Fitzsimons is an activist and a member of the Dublin West Pro Choice group. She works at Maynooth University and is the author of Community Education and Neoliberalism.
Sinéad Kennedy is the co-founder of The Coalition to Repeal the Eighth and an executive member of Together for Yes. She works at Maynooth University and is the co-editor of The Abortion Papers, Ireland.
Summary
A celebration and analysis of a 35-year long grassroots movement that successfully overturned the ban on abortion in Ireland
