Abortion For Women In Direct Provision: Letter To Irish Times

Abortion For Women In Direct Provision: Letter To Irish Times

Sir, – Judge Bryan McMahon recognises (Letters, May 4th) that an unintended pregnancy is a traumatic event. As the chair of the working group that reported on direct provision in 2015, he surely understands the particularly traumatic situation of some of the most disadvantaged women and girls in Irish society when they are faced with a crisis pregnancy.

Caught between the direct provision system and the law on abortion, those who face the most daunting barriers to accessing legal abortion services are women asylum seekers.

The need to raise funds and to organise the practical details of travelling abroad – including weeks going through administrative hurdles – means they experience significant delay in accessing services. This can have serious physical health consequences if there is an underlying health condition.

For some women, the barriers to travel are insurmountable.

Instead, they may acquire the abortion pill online, or self-administer other potentially risky substances to induce abortion. And some women ultimately have no option but to parent, regardless of their wishes, their personal situation or the circumstances of the pregnancy.

The McMahon Report recognised the vulnerability of women in direct provision who need access to abortion care.

It drew attention to their specific needs, including travel documents, financial assistance, confidentiality, and access to information and support services.

The Eighth Amendment is particularly harsh on vulnerable women and girls who have come to Ireland seeking a place of safety.

Its retention will show them no compassion. Only a Yes vote will allow us to support all women and girls in Ireland who might in the future need abortion care. – Yours, etc,

MAEVE TAYLOR,

Executive Committee

member,

Together for Yes,

Dublin 2.

Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/letters/preparing-for-abortion-referendum-1.3488281

http://asylumireland.ml/abortion-for-women-in-direct-provision-letter-to-irish-times/