Here at SHEmazing HQ, we're looking forward to today's 6th annual March for Choice.
It's an issue that we have written about, considered and been impacted by as women in this country.
For this reason, we have decided to share with you the reasons why we will march today:
'Why I March – Because no one has a right to tell a woman what to do with her body. End of. It's her body. Not yours. Get over it.'
'I march because when I think of the trip that many women have had to make to England on their own, in secret, it makes me angry that this happens in 2017. They should be able to get the same care here.
I march because regardless of what I think or believe what someone else should do….it doesn't actually matter because they deserve to make their own decision.' – Jolie Niland, Business Development Manager at Sheology Digital
'I suppose from seeing friends go through the hard travel to England, I have seen first hand how not having the right to choice in Ireland has effected them, that journey stays with you for the rest of your life.'
'Having to put the burden of costs, travel and stress of perhaps keeping it a secret from loved ones.The whole experience is just terrible to put any woman through in their lifetime. '
'I understand both sides of the argument on abortion but at the end of the day, it is my life, my body and if I am not ready to have a child, I deserve the right to decide for myself.'
'I am pro-choice and would finally like to see change to the 8th amendment at the referendum in 2018.' – Alannah O'Sullivan, Client Services Executive
'I march today because in spite of being my own person, there is a part of my body that, in this country, is seen as being more important than my choice, my will, by the State.'
'I don't know if I could even get an abortion if I did become pregnant, but I need to have the choice, the right to choose my future, one that isn't dictated by an insemination of any kind.'
'I march today because there are woman in this country who will face an unwanted pregnancy after surviving rape, and will face a longer prison sentence for having an abortion after that rape than their rapist will serve.'
'I march because I can make my own decisions, and it is my right to do so. A woman, not a womb.' – Sarah Magliocco, journalist and content creator at SHEmazing
'Until I moved to Ireland, I never even questioned it. French women acquired the right for abortion in 1975, long before I was even born.'
'We actually talked about it a lot recently as the lady behind the law, Simone Veil, just died. She is a true hero for us French ladies.'
'Anyway, what happens in my body should be up to me.'
'Of course, if we could avoid abortion, that would be great, and I think it is never an easy decision, but the reality is women have been getting it anyway and it is just hypocritical that you can't do it at home when people who can afford it fly to London.' – Elodie Noël, Food Editor at Sheology Digital
'They say home is where the heart is but the eighth amendment has made so many women feel like outsiders in their home country. I support the repeal the eighth campaign because we deserve complete control over our bodies.'
'The repeal the 8th campaign shows women that they are not alone. It shows the world that we will never give up on what we believe in. It shows the government that we won’t stop until we get what we deserve.'
'I am pro-choice because approximately twelve women a day travel abroad to get an abortion. They have to endure long strenuous journeys, they have to leave their partners and families behind in a country that has conditioned society into believing that abortion is bad.'
'We have no choice but to look elsewhere for help. The lack of support in Ireland is making our own women feel like they are criminals; they feel guilty, ashamed, they feel like they’re doing something bad.'
'I support this campaign because I want to show women in Ireland and around the world that we are strong.'
'The women who march are showing the world that we aren’t afraid to stand up for ourselves. We are going to fight for our rights.' – Kat O'Connor, journalist at Mummy Pages
'I march because a woman should be free to make her own choices regarding her own body,' – Mary Byrne, editor of Magic Mum
'I march because I cannot support a law which seeks to isolate and criminalise women for daring to take control of their bodies.'
'I march because the idea that a woman in this country would be forced to endure a pregnancy, which she was brave enough to admit may cripple her mentally, emotionally or financially, makes my skin crawl.'
'I march because one day I may be faced with a situation many women before me have bravely endured, and I would hope my country would support me, not demonise me.'
'I march because women in Ireland deserve better.'– Niamh McClelland, SHEmazing Editor
'Not every woman wants to be a mother and not every woman would be a good mother. Not everyone has the means or desire to raise and care for a child.'
'There is inequality in Ireland when it comes to accessing hormonal contraception. Many GP's won't accept a medical card patient, particularly a new patient who moves to the area. The Well Woman centre doesn't take medical card either. Plus you can only get a three-month prescription if you can afford to pay, meaning you have to go back a minimum of four times per year.'
'You can buy a pill prescription from online pharmacies and this is cheaper than GP visit but still expensive so not really an option for a medical card holder. It's also only really meant for someone who has already been prescribed the pill by a doctor and needs a new prescription.'
'Many women have issues with hormonal contraception and have to stop taking it because of a risk to physical or mental health.' – Anonymous
If you can't make it to the march, check out the SHEmazing Snapchat and Instagram feeds, where will will be reporting live from the event. Find us at @shemazingie on both platforms.
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