Women's healthcare and trust
Higgins continues by saying women, including women with disabilities, must have access to care and the right to decide the spacing of their children. She argues that honest public discussion is needed, that hard decisions are already being made in secrecy, and that women and the State must build trust.
I shall conclude. We must ensure all women have that care-----
Comment on this
-----including women who have a disability. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is clear that it is very important for all women, including those with a disability, to have the right to determine the number and spacing of their children.
I sincerely encourage colleagues who have expressed their personal desire to reduce the levels of abortion, and those who spoke of wanting to tell people about other options and choices, to consider that currently those conversations cannot happen. If we are serious about really ensuring that people look at all the options and choices then it has to happen in an open way and not under the threat of a criminal sanction. The removal of the eighth amendment will allow more honest and constructive conversations about prevention, choices and social supports.
Comment on this
Hard decisions are already being made every day in Ireland. I do not believe they need to be made in secrecy.
I urge that we move forward in a positive way, having a more open public debate, while bringing back privacy with respect to personal decisions. Trust is the key word we have heard; we need to trust women and the State needs to earn the trust of women.