As abortion rights are under threat in the U.S., Karen Hand of the Together for Yes movement tells us why Ireland’s historic abortion victory in 2018 brings lessons and hope
This is an article in the fifth issue of New Economic Magazine.You can read the full question here.
In May 2018, the people of Ireland voted to overturn Ireland’s abortion ban and introduce legislation to terminate pregnancies.This is a land referendum result with 66% of the vote of‘Yes’. Both the turnout and the level of victory are testament to the campaign launched by Together for Yes, which comprises more than 70 organisations, groups and communities from Irish civil society. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that abortion rights in the United States are invalid, it’s important to understand what made the campaign’s messages and actions so successful, the reasons behind them, and what other countries where abortion rights are under threat can learn from this experience.
Abortion is one of the most politically divisive topics in the Western world.People on both sides of the debate firmly believe that they unequivocally of‘Right’, and have a tendency to denigrate each other.From a moral standpoint, both camps argue that they occupy of‘high ground” and find it difficult to listen openly to those with whom they disagree. From an emotional standpoint, debates can become heated and personal, and many bystanders fear getting drawn into a crossfire.
“From a moral standpoint, both camps argue that they occupy of‘Highlands’ and find it difficult to listen openly to those with whom they disagree. “
The 2018 Irish Abortion Referendum proposed making abortions available to more Irish women on home soil and repealing the 8th Amendment to the Constitution. Polls show that there are questions in society about how broad abortion rules should be: Under what circumstances should people be able to have an abortion — personal choice, rape, fatal fetal deformity, life-threatening? How many weeks into pregnancy? Should there be a waiting period between decision and procedure? Do abortions require one or more medical approvals?When we represented at the end of 2016 of‘During the Yes campaign, we found that many people were very ambivalent about allowing abortion in Ireland. Plus, voters worry that campaigns on both sides will become angry, belligerent and divisive, making some want to walk away from the entire debate. of‘Yes activists worry that low voter turnout will affect their chances of success.
Our first strategic decision was to focus on of‘undecided voters. These voters don’t see abortion in black and white. They care about women’s well-being, but fail to consider abortion in terms of rights or personal autonomy.we call this voter group of‘about the Center” and know we can’t force them to change their minds — we need to listen to them and talk about abortion in a way that resonates with their own moral priorities. We need to ask them to care about women, not instruct them to recognize women We need to acknowledge that they feel sympathy for a woman who has made the decision to have an abortion, but they also feel sorry for the fact that she does not want or feel unable to have a child at this time. We need to help them believe that it is possible to do this collectively in Irish society Change. This led to the development of the Together for Yes movement’s values: Caring, Compassion, and Change.
Second, we recognize that the Center wishes to balance the care of women with the needs of society as a whole. They argue that abortion has a strong impact on women, but also has knock-on effects on partners and existing (or potential) families.this of‘The Yes campaign needs to acknowledge that abortion can be a difficult dilemma for more than one person (from sexual partners to family members), rather than always being a pregnant woman’s personal choice. Together for Yes needs to reflect this complexity while guiding concerned centers to support abortion in Ireland. This led to a finely tuned caring message in the release poster: of“Sometimes private affairs require public support.”
Third, we identified trusted experts who could help the concerned center vote with confidence of‘Yes’. Qualitative and quantitative research has shown that doctors and nurses are people that voters trust and know what the best framework for care in Irish society is.Know that medical professionals have ethical training and experience based on the Hippocratic Oath of‘Do No Harm” reassures the public that these abortions will be provided humanely. This has led Together for Yes to work closely with prominent obstetricians and obstetrical health authorities, and to partner with groups such as Doctors for Choice.
Fourth, we must help concerned centers understand that abortion is a reality for many Irish people. We do this by raising awareness of the number of people who have had an abortion, the number of people traveling to the UK for an abortion and the amount of abortion pills being imported into the country. This reality check needs to be done in a calm but consistent way to help people accept that voting no will not change these facts, but voting yes will allow people to get the supportive abortion they need safely and legally in their own country care.This led Together for Yes to start a of‘The story lab’ collects and disseminates true stories of Irish people traveling overseas to get abortions, women taking abortion pills without medical supervision or being denied abortions despite serious pregnancy complications, and Facebook events like In Her Shoes.
The final key strategic decision was to grow Together for Yes into an umbrella movement co-led by the National Council of Women, the Abolition 8th Coalition and the Abortion Rights Campaign. It takes calm, strong and tenacious leadership to keep members focused on the final game rather than fueling factional fighting.They sometimes need to negotiate with their own people of‘The foundations of pro-abortion organizations, especially around emotional issues such as whether there should be any pregnancy restrictions or wait times for abortions, or whether women should wait between deciding on an abortion and having the procedure, but of‘Yes’ campaign leadership has been focused on the need for positive change and momentum.as a of‘Yes politicians said in the middle of the campaign, of“Some progress is better than no progress. “
“Putting the social mission front and center – making it clear that access to abortion for women is not just a matter of rights, but will contribute to the health and well-being of society as a whole. “
Ireland may have won the fight for abortion rights, but abortion rights are under threat around the world. As we watch the U.S. Supreme Court strike down legislation protecting access to abortion in the United States, what can other countries learn from the Together for Yes movement?Some pro-abortion activists in the US have been inspired by the Irish movement in material developed around Ireland by ASO Communications of‘your loved one’.
First, put the social mission front and center — making it clear that providing women access to abortion is not just a matter of rights, but will contribute to the health and well-being of society as a whole. The second is to practice inclusive and collaborative politics and build an umbrella platform for shared change. Third, acknowledge and respect the feelings and needs of others—even when you strongly disagree with them. Respect their ethics and work with them to co-create a journey towards a more compassionate and supportive society.
Listening openly and working together is never easy, but the success of the Together for Yes movement shows that incremental change can be achieved in partnership with and across disparate populations, even on polarizing issues like abortion.
Karen Hand is a social psychologist and brand strategist who conducted qualitative research with the public and politicians to guide the Together for Yes campaign.
