Ireland to relax strict abortion laws following woman's death

The Irish government has announced this week that it will introduce regulations allowing doctors to perform abortions in cases where the woman's life is at risk.

The change comes following the death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar in October. After learning she was miscarrying, Ms. Halappanavar repeatedly requested an abortion, only to allegedly be told by doctors that "this is a Catholic country." She died of septicaemia and E Coli after three days of excruciating pain. 

The reform will allow women to receive abortions if the pregnancy poses a threat to their lives, including from their own threats to commit suicide if forced to continue with the pregnancy. 

Just two months earlier, a consortium of Irish doctors participated in the International Symposium on Excellence in Maternal Healthcare, and declared abortion medically unecessary, stating "we confirm that the prohibition of abortion does not affect, in any way, the availability of optimal care to pregnant women." 

Nearly 22 million women worldwide each year endure unsafe abortion, and as many as 47,000 die from complications. An estimated 10 times that number suffer long-term health consequences, while countless others are denied access to birth control. 

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