Ireland's abortion rights campaign a template for Trump country
Repro Rights activists had success turning a socially conservative country into a nation with legalized abortion
As abortion rights leaders in the United States develop plans for a post-Roe future, some within the movement have pointed to the success activists had changing public opinion in Ireland about the issue.
Ireland is a predominantly Catholic country. That religion is historically the most hostile to both birth control and abortion. Catholics for Choice was heavily involved in the Together for Yes campaign, which culminated in a 2018 referendum that removed the constitutional ban on abortion. Elyce Nollette, director of special projects, for the organization, explained what American feminists can learn from it. It wasn’t one group or leader who did it. It was a collaboration.
“It was a very strong coalition of partners working in tandem with one another and working towards the same purpose in a very organized and strategic way,” Nollette said. “And I think that that takes time and patience and perseverance. And I think part of the challenge in the United States is, is knowing where all of your collegial organizations are.”
The organization compiled its strategy onto a presentation. Among the things that they recommended was having more educational seminars dealing with the history of abortion rights.
“Really a lot of the work had to do with reaching the people and doing a lot of education,” Nollette said. “And the groups on the ground did a phenomenal job with that.
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Irish activists were more straightforward with explanations than many activists in America who have historically used euphemisms or shied away from using abortion in the political debate. Above all else they were practical.
“You might have both collaboration points but also some tension points as well because reproductive rights (will have) a spectrum of opinions and has, as a result, a spectrum of organizations with different priorities,” Nollette said.