Migrant women’s grim choice on abortion

RECENT events make it clearer than ever that we need politicians to commit themselves to providing clear legal protection for women faced with crisis pregnancies by setting a timetable for legislation to underpin the ‘X’ judgement, to deal humanely with the issue of foetal abnormality and ultimately to call a referendum to remove the eighth amendment to the constitution.

Each year around 6,000 Irish women are forced to add to the trauma and expense of pregnancy termination by travelling abroad, often alone.

Those are the ones who have the means and freedom to travel — the Women’s Health Council has expressed concern to the HSE about “migrant women accessing unsafe ‘backstreet’ abortions due to the legislative ban on abortions in Ireland and the fact that because of their precarious residence status, many women are afraid to travel … Many ethnic minority women find themselves in situations of isolation, poverty and exploitation. Many women might have been infected with STIs, including HIV, through sexual violence or may even be pregnant through rape”.