In a landmark judgement, the restrictive abortion law in Ireland has been changed. People of Ireland have voted to change one of the world’s restrictive abortion laws citing the Savita Halappanavar’s case. The celebrations are on in the house of Savita in Karnataka right now. Savita, a 31-year-old dentist died at University Hospital Galway in Ireland in the year 2012 because of a septic miscarriage after an abortion was denied even after asking for several times.
As per the official referendum results, it was found that about 66% of the people of Ireland backed repealing the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which is against medical termination of the pregnancy test. Responding to the same, Irish PM Leo Varadkar said that it was a significant day in the country’s history. He further added, ‘The public have spoken. The result is in favour of repealing the 8th Amendment. What we see is the Culmination of a quiet revolution that has been taking place in Ireland over the last couple of decades.’
The Eighth Amendment outlawed the termination of pregnancy in most cases such as rape, incest or fatal foetal abnormality. The change of the abortion laws has brought in a huge debate and discussion among the Irish people which finally resulted in a change of the current law allowing abortions under certain criteria that could be life-saving.
Savita’s death has brought a revolution in Ireland
Irish parliament voted to legalise abortions in cases of medical emergencies as well as the risk of suicide in 2013 and now the new changes in the law could help people a great deal. Hearing about the news Savita’s father Anandaneppa Yalagi said he was really, really happy at the news. He said, ‘we have one last request, that the new law is called Savita’s law’. It should be named for her.’ ‘I want to say thank you to our brothers and sisters in Ireland for voting Yes. It is very important’, he said.
Savita’s parents had been advocating ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum and also released a video last week. The video shows Savita’s parents holding the potrait of their deceased daughter and talked about the agony and pain they were going through even after six years of their daughters death.
Savita has become the face of this revolution and almost 10% of people who voted to change the abortion laws say her death directly influenced their decision to vote for change. A shrine has emerged in the name of Savita where a note was left that read, ‘because you slept many of us woke. Tomorrow we will awake to an Ireland less ashamed.
