The Women’s Protest became a massive movement in Poland. Women and everyone supporting them took to the streets in a fight for their rights. As protests in Poland hit the third week, similar protests in solidarity with Polish women have been taking place all over the world.
On the 30th of October the march to support Polish women was held in Dublin City Centre. The organisers of the march were surprised by the amount of people that showed up.
Laura Matjusaityte spoke with the organiser of the march Ariana Jeż about the march in Dublin and the situation in Poland.
Geordie Shore stars are known for being extremely controversial and sexually provocative. It is also a known fact that the men of Geordie Shore like to stop off at every port for a one night stand while they do ‘press tours’ – so it was no surprise that Scotty T revealed he has slept with over 1,000 women.
That is utterly stomach turning, in my opinion. I wouldn’t even want to go on a date with someone with a record that high, let alone sleep with them – but not all Irish women would agree. One of the 1000 women he slept with was a northern Irish girl, who happened to get pregnant.
Self proclaimed ‘playboy’ Scotty T is certainly not the ideal man to settle down and have a child with, which was probably a factor in the Irish woman’s decision to abort the baby.
The reality star admits, in his book ‘Scotty T: A Shore thing’, that it was just a one night stand and when she fell pregnant, she told him because she felt he had a right to know. You have to give her credit for that, telling a ‘celeb’ who has slept with over 1,000 women that you are pregnant with his child, because it must have been intimidating and his reaction was exactly what we would expect.
“Forgive me for saying it, but the sudden relief I experienced when she said that she wasn’t planning on keeping the baby was overwhelming, because I knew for sure that I wasn’t ready to be a dad.” he told the Irish Sun.
Obviously this situation is a much bigger deal in Ireland with abortion being illegal and the Repeal the 8th Campaign getting louder. She clearly felt that it was her choice to abort the baby if that wasn’t what she wanted, but I suppose she should have thought about that before having unprotected sex.
Not to say that I don’t believe women should have a choice, they should, but I don’t believe that abortion should be used as contraception. I think putting a condom on should be the first option rather than having unprotected sex and ‘getting rid of the baby’.
Admittedly, we don’t know the full circumstance or anything about this girls life so it would be wrong to condemn her, but a man who has had that many one night stands should know to wrap it up.
The Geordie Shore star supported the Irish woman all the way, he flew her over to Newcastle for the abortion, funded the whole thing and went with her. It seems that in the UK the media is glorifying him for such a chivalrous act, but should a man paying for an abortion after he slept with a woman without protection be applauded?
“To be honest it was the only occasion this had happened. But I dealt with it properly and respectfully, as should anyone else in that situation. If there was a chance that she was carrying my baby I was never going to leave this poor girl struggling on her own, that’s not right.”, he claims.
Of course it’s not right – they both had sex and they both created a baby so excuse me if I don’t jump to give Scotty T a pat on the back. Would I have expected him to just say ‘good luck’ and walk away? Yes, but that just means that he is less of a sleaze than I expected, not the biggest gentleman alive.
A controversial ad campaign offering “a safe abortion with pills” has been stickered all over Dublin City.
Defaced abortion stickers in Dublin. Photo credit: Sarah Fitzgerald
The campaign is for the online website, Women on Web, which sends abortion pills worldwide to countries where terminations are inaccessible.
Before ordering the pills an online doctors consultation is required. A medical abortion is a termination of pregnancy by using two medicines, misoprostol and mifepristone. The success rate is 98 per cent when taken in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.
Women on Web are a non profit organsiation, for their service, there is a recommended donation of €90.
However, such websites raise serious concerns both for the safety of the woman self administrating and the illegality of obtaining the service.
Speaking to those in Dublin from the 18-34 year old demographic, the response was overwhelmingly pro choice.
Maeve Judge (28), “My own beliefs are pro life. However, I would say that I believe in pro-choice for the nation. As you can live in a pro-choice country, but believe in pro-life and act accordingly. However, you cannot live in a pro-life country and have choice (unless you leave that country).” She said.
“As the Internet has allowed people to educate themselves on medicine, people don’t always have to go to their doctor when something is wrong. So, it makes sense that all sorts of pills will become available online. As long as the pills used for the termination are accompanied with relevant information and guidelines, I do not have any issue with it.”
Matthew Brazel (24) “I am a proud pro choice campaigner. I believe people ordering abortion pills online is unsafe and pushing the problem further underground. This is a reflection of the dangerous consequence of the unfair and oppressive legislation in place surrounding abortion.” He said.
Ashling Durkan (22), “It is disgusting that in the liberal society which we live that some backwards male tyrants are dictating a woman right to choice” she said.
“Forcing a woman to bring an unwanted child in to the world is morally corrupt and a breach of human rights. It is the choice of the mother and that choice should be respected not vilified.”
“However, if I was to get pregnant now, I would have the baby, but that is my choice.” she said.
Jessica O’Sullivan (24), “ I feel that abortion should be legalised in Ireland, however I would consider myself both pro life and pro choice”, she said.
“I do not believe advocating legal abortion makes an individual anti life. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is traumatic enough without the stigma, branding and possible persecution for a woman’s right to her own body and life”
Carina Moran (22) “I am pro choice. I think abortion should be legalised in Ireland but there should be a strict vetting process. It should not be viewed a form of contraception.”
“As for ordering abortion pills online, I think it is highly irresponsible and morally void. While abortion is primarily a physical procedure, the possible mental and emotional implications of such it can be devastating and therefore needs to be managed accordingly by dedicated services.” She said.
In Ireland, legal abortions are only available to women at serious physical or mental distress in cases where their lives are at risk. The current Government have ruled out any new abortion laws in its lifetime, following the introduction of the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act last year.
In a poll published by the Irish Times, the majority of Irish people (68%), both men and women are in favour of holding a referendum to extend the circumstances in which women can seek abortions.
Thousands turned out for the Pro-Choice rally and Savita vigil on Saturday, November 17th. The case of Savita Halappanavar first came to light on Wednesday November 14th and has resulted in a huge outcry from many Irish people with demand now growing for legislation on the X case.
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