Historic repeal 2019: The right to choice.
March 2019 marked the historic repeal of one of Britain’s oldest imposed laws in Ireland, finally allowing for the decriminalisation of abortion in the Six Counties.
For decades previous fundamentalist Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, argued that abortion was a ‘sin’ and ‘justified’ their oppressive archaic views with even more archaic texts. To those who sought to rob women and pregnant people of the Six Counties the choice to abortion healthcare – it was Ireland’s ‘darkest day’.
Yet for the many, many more across Ireland who champion equality, and the right to choose, it was a day that marked a turning point in the fight against organised religion and the state.
Now, as expected, the DUP is making its next attempt to overturn that victory and restore the grip of the state over the reproductive rights of women. They believe they’ll get support in Stormont to change that law. How many will argue against this? Time will only tell but as socialists we will continue to argue for women’s rights.
Lasair Dhearg from its inception has been a pro-choice organisation. Our manifesto states our belief that free healthcare for all, includes access to abortion services – free, safe, legal and local. As Socialist Republicans we seek to live in a democratic society: with a democratic economy under the control of those who create the wealth of the nation. This democracy must extend to the individuals right to choice.
