It’s been two years since Ireland repealed the Eighth Amendment.
On May 25 2018, the country overwhelmingly in favour of removing the law that made it illegal for women in Ireland to access safe and legal abortion services.
66.4 percent of the Irish electorate voted to repeal the law and ensure that women in Ireland had a choice – a choice for motherhood and over their own bodies.
The referendum did not eradicate the countless human rights issues that still exist for millions of women and girls across the globe, and nor did it erase the discrimination that many women still face in this country, but it did change a lot for Ireland.
A watershed moment in the fight for women’s rights, the referendum marked the efforts of thousands of campaigners across the country, some of whom had fought for decades for the right to choose.
Today, people are remembering the day Ireland finally Repeal the Eighth, using the hashtag #Repeal Memories.
Today is a DAY. I’m elebrating my 40th birthday under lockdown. It’s a year since I was elected and 2 years since we #repealedThe8th. All the feels & thank you to each & every person who helped us get to that momentous, historic day. An incredible few years 💕 #RepealMemories pic.twitter.com/TkBdm1OSGX
— Carly Bailey (@CarlyBee25) May 25, 2020
Jennie Mcdonald, Ruth Bowie Amanda Mellet and Arlette Lyons founded TFMR in 2012.These picture, taken 6 years apart represent a mountain of work done by these ladies to get parents' voices heard and our experiences understood. #repealedThe8th #RepealMemories pic.twitter.com/dLLsIVue6X
— TFMR Ireland (@TFMRIRE) May 25, 2020
I'm also thinking of the people who protected women at maternity hospitals from absolute gowls using a bed sheet, the people who asked their neighbours for a vote.
This was a grassroots movement, the people made it happen.#RepealMemories pic.twitter.com/5VDvu0VbsV— Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) May 25, 2020
From the bottom left where I was pregnant with Alex going on a Repeal march with my Spongebob badge, to top left where I literally strapped her to me to go canvassing. It was quite literally a movement & inspirational. Thank you all so much for making it happen x#RepealMemories pic.twitter.com/xLLsnlZfA8
— Hazel Chu (@hazechu) May 25, 2020
https://twitter.com/UnaMullally/status/1264833975761149952?s=20
#RepealMemories This day two years ago- after we had voted. My lovely Dad was so proud in his T-shirt. His dementia has taken this memory from him- and largely taken him from us- but what an amazing man. #repealedThe8th https://t.co/ONV3nZcsXN
— Louise Kenny (@louiseckenny) May 25, 2020
Today, May 25th, is the 2nd anniversary of the day that 66.4% of us voted to repeal the 8th Amendment, so that women in Ireland could have reproductive freedom.
Here, @anniewestdotcom's unforgettable image captures the joy of that landmark day. #RepealMemories #repealedThe8th pic.twitter.com/Z9BcpbkH5J
— Dublin Well Woman (@dublinwellwoman) May 25, 2020
I wrote about my sister Rachael & all the people who helped us on our lonely journeys over the years. Two years ago today 66.4 per cent of us changed everything ❤️#repealedthe8th #repealmemories @MarianKeyes @parkinsbrea @ailbhes https://t.co/r8pVBCCHAG
— Róisín Jingle 🎄 (@roisiningle) May 25, 2020
A lot of today is me thinking "where is that dickhead now?" #RepealMemories
— Alison Spittle (@AlisonSpittle) May 25, 2020
