This hashtag warrants attention today.
Two Irish women have embarked on the journey from Ireland to England in order to secure an abortion. The details of the long journey are nothing new for the 14 women a day who are forced to undertake it.
The two women live-tweeting their journey today are stoic pro-choicers and are rejecting the shame and stigma of abortion by publically sharing the nitty gritty real-life details.
It began this morning around 5am.
@EndaKennyTD Dublin Airport, five am. #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/cma4hXH5cj
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
The two women tag Enda Kenny in each tweet, forcing the leader to watch the journey unfold.
#twowomentravel boarding, it’s chilly. @EndaKennyTD pic.twitter.com/mffXYkpI71
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
They’ve made it clear that their endeavour is to stand in solidarity with the other women forced abroad.
We stand in solidarity with all women exiled by @EndaKennyTD, his predecessors, his apologists. #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/lipWBwdViA
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
We know that they have arrived in the UK within the last hour.
Pretty ordinary sights, in a place away from home. Can’t say it’s comforting, though @EndaKennyTD #twowomentravel pic.twitter.com/3FTxYGAG1y
— Two Women Travel (@TwoWomenTravel) August 20, 2016
On average, UK abortion clinics are performing 100 terminations on Irish patients every week.
According to figures by Belfast-based journalism project Detail Data, and the Department of Health in the UK, 25,000 abortions have been performed on Irish women in England and Wales in the last five years alone.
In the years between 2010 and 2014, 19,947 girls and women from the Republic of Ireland and 4,652 from Northern Ireland made the journey across the Irish Sea to have an abortion. The figures are thought to be possibly even higher reveals Detail Data, as these numbers only account for those that have given an address in Ireland.
The recently released figures also include the number of girls under the age of 16 who had traveled for abortions, revealing that 152 young girls from the Republic and 69 under-16s from the north of Ireland had found themselves on a boat or airplane to the UK for a termination in the last five years.
Support for the women is pouring in on Twitter.
Today, @TwoWomenTravel but you’re not on your own in this. So many people are with you. X
— James Corden (@JKCorden) August 20, 2016
@TwoWomenTravel failing to find the right words. Both sorry you’ve had to travel & in awe of your ability to think of others. #repealthe8th
— Playing With Fibre (@pwfibre) August 20, 2016
People please follow @TwoWomenTravel
Because there but for the grace of God goes you or I or your Irish sister, mother, niece or cousin— Gillian Kenny (@medievalgill) August 20, 2016
Really admire the bravery of @TwoWomenTravel – it’s hard enough without being labelled a criminal. I hope you get there and home safe.
— Cool Ben (@bursaar) August 20, 2016
All I can think about today is brave @TwoWomenTravel, the others making that journey and those in crisis unable to travel #repealthe8th
— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) August 20, 2016
Today #twowomentravel highlights EVERYTHING wrong with Ireland (and NI). A backward world with backward leaders. All support with you ladies
— Aideen McCormack (@Deenerbom) August 20, 2016
The real-time sacrifice of privacy is a huge thing. I admire these women but wish they didn’t have to do this #twowomentravel #repealthe8th
— marah saria griff (@griffski) August 20, 2016
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