Irish women tweet periods to Enda Kenny in abortion protest

5 November 2015

Pro-Choice supporters hold placards in front of the gates of the Irish Parliament building in Dublin on 10 July 2013 during a demonstration ahead of a vote to introduce abortion in limited cases where the mother's life is at risk. — Image caption,
Abortions are illegal in the Republic of Ireland, unless the woman's life is at immediate risk

Irish women are live-tweeting Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Enda Kenny their menstrual cycles to highlight the country's restrictive abortion laws.

Comedian Grainne Maguire began tweeting Mr Kenny on Monday to raise awareness about a campaign to repeal the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution.

The amendment equates the life of the foetus to the life of the mother and criminalises abortion in Ireland.

Irish women soon joined Ms Maguire, with #repealthe8th trending in Ireland.

Changes to the constitution can only be made through a referendum.

A coalition of pro-choice groups, external is calling for a referendum to repeal the amendment and more than 47,000 people have signed a petition by the UK-based human rights group Amnesty International , external urging Mr Kenny to change the law.

Ms Maguire argued it was only fair to share such details with Mr Kenny since "we know how much the Irish state cares about our reproductive parts".

Tweet by Grainne Maguire: "Since we know how much the Irish state cares about our reproductive parts-I call my womb Ireland's littlest embassy ;-) #repealthe8th (1/3)"

Tweet by Grainne Maguire:"I think its only fair that the women of Ireland let our Leader @EndaKennyTD know the full details of our menstrual cycle #repealthe8th (2/3)"

Tweet by Grainne Maguire: "Hey @EndaKennyTD just so you know, I got my period two days ago. Pretty heavy flow at first but now just occasional spotting #repealthe8th"

Women from all over Ireland chimed in with contributions about their menstrual cycles.

Imelda tweeting: "Hey @EndaKennyTD just so you know, day 3 of my period. Still heavy and I've got a mooncup up in there at the moment. #repealthe8th"

Ciara Tweeted: "@EndaKennyTD On my 2nd period in 1 month! Imagine that! But at least I know I'm not pregnant (again). Lucky ol' me eh Enda? #repealthe8th"

Tweet: "@EndaKennyTD When I have my period I like to eat chocolate and cry over my lack of bodily autonomy #repealthe8th"

Others shared how abortion laws have affected them personally:

Claire tweeting: "@EndaKennyTD 1st period since my stillborn baby. I carried her for 6weeks after her diagnosis, losing my mind with grief. #repealthe8th"

Mr Kenny is yet to respond.

Jo tweets: Hey @EndaKennyTD are you BLEEDIN listening to these tweets? We're waiting for a BLOODY response @GrainneMaguire #repealthe8th

In June, a report by Amnesty, external claimed pregnant women risk putting their health and lives in danger if they remain in Ireland.

"The human rights of women are violated on a daily basis because of a constitution that treats them like child-bearing vessels," said Amnesty's Secretary General, Salil Shetty.

"Women who need abortions are treated like criminals, stigmatised and forced to travel abroad, taking a serious toll on their mental and physical health.

In February a proposed change to the abortion law to legalise terminations in fatal foetal abnormality cases was rejected by the Irish parliament.

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