Women’s voices silenced in abortion 3 day wait debate

The Oireachtas has been criticised for excluding evidence from pro-life women in the debate over removing abortion safeguards.

After the Health Committee refused to hear evidence from women who decided to not go ahead with an abortion as a result of the mandatory reflection period, Pro Life Campaign Ireland held a Voices Unheard event in Dublin to highlight their experiences.

In June, deputies backed a Sinn Féin Bill to remove the three-day reflection period by 86 votes to 70. The proposal is now being considered by an Oireachtas committee.

‘Censoring evidence’

Senator Sharon Keogan urged the Health Committee to “rethink its approach”, saying: “It is just awful how one-sided the Health Committee has been in censoring evidence, testimony and lived experiences that don’t fit preconceived narratives.”

She added: “Women who say their children are alive because of the three-day wait deserve better.”

Deputy Paul Lawless accused the Health Committee of “strategically blocking” women who support the safeguard and called for the Tánaiste to meet with them and allow their voices to be heard.

Independent TD Carol Nolan said she was “appalled” that these women were refused the opportunity to give evidence. She highlighted their perspective “of how the three day wait actually saved their babies and how they’re grateful that it was there”.

Time to reflect

One of the women who spoke at the Voices Unheard event described her experience of contacting a crisis pregnancy helpline: “I was crying when I rang My Options. Nobody asked if I wanted time to consider my options before giving me details of an abortion provider. Without a mandatory wait, I do not believe women like me would be encouraged to take time to reflect.”

“And why was I refused when I asked to see my baby on the ultrasound? How many other women were refused and later regretted their abortions?”

She advised: “We need to slow things down and ask some very hard questions. Women deserve respect, time and genuine support when facing a decision this significant.”

Another woman explained how the three-day wait gave her exactly what she needed – time: “Time to think beyond the immediate situation, time to ask myself whether this was really what I wanted.”

‘Safeguarding lives’

While the evidence from the group of women was rejected, the Committee did hear from a number of doctors.

Dr Aoife Mullally, the Clinical Lead for Termination of Pregnancy Services at the Health Service Executive, claimed that “18 studies reported that mandatory waiting periods contributed to financial [and] emotional costs, such as logistical burdens, emotional stress, financial cost, travel time and out-of-state travel”.

However, Dr Andrew O’Regan, said it was “an undeniable fact that children are alive today because of this three day wait”. He called the reflection period “a moderate safeguard,” and that there was “no clinical reason to remove it”.

When Dr Kirsten Fuller was asked whether there was any clinical reason to keep the reflection period, she responded: “I would argue that there’s something much more important…there are lives.”