DUBLIN: Over 1,000 abortion pills were seized last year at customs, a figure that represents double the amount seized the two years previous. This fact is very much in contradiction with the myth of the anti-choice side that there is no demand for abortion in Ireland.
Despite the fact that abortion is illegal in Ireland and having an abortion, or even helping someone have one, is punishable by up to 14 years in jail it is a well known fact that abortions still occur.
The safest way to have an illegal abortion is through the use of pills which should be taken before 9 weeks gestation. For those in need of an abortion but without the money to travel to England for the procedure organisations that send the Early Medical Abortion pill over are invaluable.
While governments both sides of the border continue to neglect the voices of people in Ireland who find themselves in a crisis pregnancy organisations such as Women Help Women (www.womenhelp.org) and Women On Web (www.womenonweb.org) are there to help.
If you find yourself in need of an abortion please get in touch with either organisation. Equally, if you are past the 9 week point do not hesitate to get in touch with the Abortion Support Network (www.abortionsupport.org.uk).
No matter what restrictions the government tries to implement on us and our bodily autonomy we will continue to resist; we will defy their oppressive laws and fight for women’s liberation.
