Published
Feb 1, 2018Page count
152 pagesISBN
978-1447347514Dimensions
198 x 129 mmImprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 1, 2018Page count
152 pagesISBN
978-1447347521Dimensions
Imprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 1, 2018Page count
152 pagesISBN
978-1447347538Dimensions
Imprint
Policy PressPublished
Feb 1, 2018Page count
152 pagesISBN
978-1447347545Dimensions
Imprint
Policy PressRead the 'Repealing the 8th' postscript here
In the media
'Battle for legalised abortions in Ireland will not be easy' in The Times
'Abortion Law in Ireland: Time for Change?' in The Conversation
'The Irish Referendum and the Road to Safe, Legal Abortion' in the Oxford Human Rights Hub
'Repeal the 8th, Activism, Social Movement, and Constitutional Change in Ireland' in Constitution Making & Constitutional Change
On our blog: 'Repealing the 8th: how new legislation on abortion should be designed'
Available Open Access under CC-BY licence.
Irish law currently permits abortion only where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk. Since 1983, the 8th Amendment to the Constitution has recognised the “unborn” as having a right to life equal to that of the “mother”. Consequently, most people in Ireland who wish to bring their pregnancies to an end either import the abortion pill illegally, travel abroad to access abortion, or continue with the pregnancy against their will.
Now, however, there are signs of change. A constitutional referendum will be held in 2018, after which it will be possible to reimagine, redesign, and reform the law on abortion. Written by experts in the field, this book draws on experience from other countries, as well as experiences of maternal medical care in Ireland, to call for a feminist, woman-centered, and rights-based radical new approach to abortion law in Ireland.
Directly challenging grounds-based abortion law, this accessible guide brings together feminist analysis, comparative research, human rights law, and political awareness to propose a new constitutional and legislative settlement on reproductive autonomy in Ireland. It offers practical proposals for policymakers and advocates, including model legislation, making it an essential campaigning tool leading up to the referendum.
Fiona de Londras is Professor of Global Legal Studies at the University of Birmingham.
Máiréad Enright is Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Birmingham.
The case for repealing the 8th
The Constitution after the 8th
A rights-based approach to abortion
Accessing abortion care: principles for legislative design
Model legislation
Conclusion