Cork pro-choice film screening

cork | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Wednesday September 03, 2003 13:42

by Pat C

cwrcg at yahoo dot ie

Cork Women�s Right To Choose Group
Invite you to the only screening of
�If These Walls Could Talk�
Starring Cher, Demi Moore, Sissy Spacek & Ann Heche

In the Kino Cinema, Washington Street Cork
On Sunday Morning September 7th 2003 @11am

Set in a single suburban house, this HBO production spans 40 years, comprising three stories that examine the evolution of a woman�s right to choose an abortion in the US. Directed by Nancy Savoca (DOGFIGHT, TRUE LOVE) and Cher, this film is a poignant examination of the evolution of the abortion debate, beginning with the tragedy of illegal back-alley abortions and ending with the violence so prevalent at women�s clinics in the US.

This pro-choice film screening is to mark the twentieth anniversary of the insertion of the Eighth Amendment into the Irish Constitution in 1983. This amendment conferred on a foetus a right to life equal with that of the woman in whose womb it developed. It has been used to restrict access to information on abortion and it has deepened legal uncertainty about whether terminations on medical grounds may be performed, even in cases in which the life of the woman is at risk or in which a foetus is not viable. Even after the 1992 X case, in which a suicidal 14 year-old, pregnant as a result of rape, was given permission to have an abortion, no legislation was introduced to provide for such cases. On the contrary, since 1992, Fianna Fail-led governments have twice attempted to roll back this judgement in order to ensure that a child, pregnant in such circumstances, would have no access to abortion in Ireland.

Statistics suggest that as many as 19 Irish women travel to Britain for abortions every day. This is an option for those who can afford it, though as well as the stress caused by crisis pregnancies, the fact that they have to travel means that these women suffer enforced separation from families and friends. What options have women who cannot afford to travel, or asylum seekers afraid that they will be refused re-entry to Ireland? Interestingly, a recent survey found that 11% of GPs in Northern Ireland had treated patients following amateur abortion attempts. No such survey has been conducted in the Republic.

The Cork Women�s Right to Choose Group is involved, with other organisations in the Alliance for Choice, in working for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment and the introduction of legislation, which reflects the needs of women. The film screening is part of this ongoing campaign and is intended both to mark the passing of the Eighth Amendment and to raise consciousness of the complex issues around abortion. The CWRCG hopes that you will attend this film screening and support the Irish pro-choice campaign.