A remembrance march is getting underway in Dublin, calling for a permanent memorial to Savita Halappanavar.
Her death, after being denied an abortion a decade ago, was seen as a catalyst for the ‘Repeal the Eighth’ movement, and the eventual legalisation of abortion in Ireland in 2018.
Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council, says it’s time to review that legislation – which still presents barriers for women who need help. “She was 31 years of age. She was a vibrant young woman who lost her life in a very traumatic, painful….it was a very unnecessary death. It is really important to remember her today and also, in the aftermath of Savita’s death, so many women came and spoke about their experiences of the harm of the 8th amendment and that is what we are asking the government to do again – to listen to women.”
