It’s easy to be jaded about the level of progressive thought in the world when we live in a country where, even if we are not automatically served or understood, our voices can be heard. Unfortunately, in Ireland, this is not the case. Last week, almost 400 protesters gathered outside government buildings without a single news outlet reporting on it. Perhaps it was because they were protesting Ireland’s restrictions on abortion, which limit women to only receiving the procedure if their lives are in danger.
Five thousand to eight thousand women travel to the UK every year for abortions. Those who cannot afford the travel are forced into more dangerous options. This gross lack of medical care is bolstered by the grizzly ad campaign launched by the Christian group Youth Defence. The campaign depicts a fetus at 18+ weeks, with the caption “abortion tears her life apart.” Not only is this extreme, it is also blatantly false. 89% of abortions take place before 13 weeks, far before the fetus stage. The ad relies on an extremely small portion of data and an incredibly disturbing juxtaposition as a scare tactic.
You can help the women in Ireland speak out against Youth Defence by liking and sharing their page on Facebook. Help them make the news and, at the very least, have their side of the story shared.
Image Courtesy of Facebook page
