IRISH WOMEN ARE being urged to go on strike today during International Women’s Day.
Activists Strike 4 Repeal are staging a worldwide ‘strike’ at noon to show solidarity with women who have been affected by the lack of abortion provision in Ireland.
Why a strike?
Their reasoning is that taking a day to strike signifies the Irish women who have to take a day to travel abroad if they wish to access a safe and legal abortion.
They strike is the result
Our demand is that the Irish government call a referendum to repeal the 8th Amendment by the 8th of March. If not, we will strike.
So, the strike goes ahead.
Last year, in October, similar action was taken out in Poland. Over 60 Polish cities went out on strike, with thousands of people protesting to protect their access to abortion. It was a success.
How can I participate?
The main thing you can do, is attend a strike near you. Go on your lunch, or show your solidarity by covering someone else while they participate.
Here are the regional meeting places, kicking off at 12pm, unless otherwise stated:
- Dublin – O’Connell Bridge (12.30pm)
- Belfast – Belfast City Hall
- Cork, Blackpool – Blackpool mall main entrance
- Cork, city – St. Patrick’s Hill at the beginning of Mac Curtain Street
- Galway – Eyre Square
- Kerry – The Square, Tralee
- Kilkenny – Saint John’s Bridge
- Limerick – Bedford Row (2pm)
- Mayo – Market Square, Castlebar (1pm)
- Sligo – Strandhill Beach (2pm)
- Meath, Navan – Kennedy Place
- Meath, Ashbourne – Tesco car park (7pm)
Colleges taking part:
Leave your lectures at 12pm if you want to join…
- DCU – at the Henry Grattan building
- NCAD – Red Square
- UCD – James Joyce Library
- NUIG – Join them in Eyre Square
- IADT – The quad
- Trinity – The Front Square
- Royal Holloway in London – Founders main quad
If you’re abroad, there are also strikes in Berlin, New York, Manchester, London, Glasgow, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Manchester, Buenos Aires, and Aberdeen. Check out the Strike 4 Repeal Facebook page for details.
What if I can’t go?
Women are also encouraged to wear black or a black armband to signify support.
If you’re a woman working in the home, you could consider letting your domestic duties go for the day.
Consider all the work that you’d typically do on that day, and how withdrawing from it might highlight the contribution that you and millions make every day to a country where we do not have access to basic healthcare.
