New booklet provides vital information for Irish women seeking abortion advice and treatment

Brochure launched on International Women’s Day as new poll results reveal nine out of 10 Irish men and women agree that abortion should be permitted in Ireland under certain circumstances

A groundbreaking information booklet on abortion launched today by sexual health agency Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices aims to provide Irish women with accurate, non-judgemental information to support them when making their decision about whether or not to continue with an unplanned pregnancy. The brochure provides answers to commonly asked questions about abortion, information about the law and details on travelling overseas to access abortion services.

The launch of the booklet falls on International Women’s Day, and coincides with the publication of new independent research into Irish women’s and men’s attitudes towards abortion, conducted by YouGov Plc*. The research suggests that the majority of men and women from Ireland agree that abortion should be permitted in Ireland in some circumstances, confirming the shift in public opinion that has been observed in recent years:

• Approximately nine out 10 respondents (87%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the pregnancy seriously endangers the woman’s life;
• More than three quarters of respondents (79%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the woman’s health is at risk;
• Nearly eight out of 10 respondents (78%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the pregnancy is the result of sexual abuse / rape or incest;
• Just under two thirds of respondents (62%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if there is evidence of a profound foetal abnormality;
• Over four out of 10 respondents (41%) agreed that termination of pregnancy should be permitted if the woman believes it is in her and / or her family's best interest;
• Only three per cent of respondents felt that abortion in Ireland is not acceptable under any circumstances

"As the research suggests, there is growing support for abortion under certain circumstances in Ireland. Despite this, women from Ireland continue to be placed in a dire situation when faced with an unplanned pregnancy," comments Gabrielle Malone, Programme Director, Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices.

Gabrielle continued, "Ireland’s archaic abortion law not only restricts access to abortion services but also to information – in my experience, this leaves women from Ireland facing an unplanned pregnancy feeling isolated, scared and vulnerable as they do not know who or where to turn to for supportive services. Those women forced to travel to end their pregnancy do not know what to expect, causing them to become unnecessarily emotionally and financially burdened."

Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices already provides unplanned pregnancy counselling and face-to-face consultations to thousands of women each year. It is hoped that the new information booklet will provide women in Ireland with desperately needed and easily accessible written information for them to take away, enabling them to consider their pregnancy options in their own time and space.

"We hope that our new booklet will set the precedent for further abortion information services, and we hope that the results of the independent poll will urge the Government to take into account growing support for abortion and review their outdated abortion laws. In this 21st century, it is shameful that Irish women are still not able to access the full range of family planning services including abortion as part of their healthcare and that their reproductive rights continue to be so severely restricted."

Gabrielle Malone is available for interview and further comment, please contact:
Phone: (01) 882 6322
Email:gmalone@reproductivechoices.ie

Notes to editors:
Marie Stopes Reproductive Choices is a Dublin based sexual and reproductive health specialist. Our centre is small and friendly and our team of experienced nurses, doctors and counsellors provide professional support and advice. Services include unplanned pregnancy counselling and advice, STI screening, and contraception provision including vasectomy. For further information please visit www.reproductivechoices.ie.

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 1002 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3rd - 8th December 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all adults from Ireland (aged 18+).

For further information on International Women’s Day please visit: www.internationalwomensday.com