Eight Years After Repeal, Irish Women Are Still Waiting for Change

Lily van den Bergh
June 29, 2026

The recent passage of Sinn Féin’s bill abolishing Ireland’s mandatory three-day abortion waiting period has been celebrated as a significant step forward for reproductive rights. However, its success also brings to light the uncomfortable truth that while Ireland may present itself as a modern nation, its treatment of women’s reproductive rights remains rooted in its legacy of conservatism. Only weeks earlier, the Reproductive Rights (Amendment) Bill, championed by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns, was defeated in the Dáil despite proposing far broader reforms to Ireland’s abortion legislation. While Sinn Féin’s bill addresses the patronising three-day waiting period, the Social Democrats’ proposal sought to build upon legislation introduced during the Repeal The Eighth movement in 2018 by also addressing the criminalisation of healthcare professionals and other barriers to abortion access. Though the removal of the waiting period should be welcomed, we must ask ourselves why, eight years after one of the largest feminist movements in Irish history, women’s political priorities are still struggling to translate into legislative change.

Continued: https://universitytimes.ie/2026/06/eight-years-after-repeal-irish-women-are-still-waiting-for-change/

South Africa – Report sparks row over abortion rights, healthcare workers’ beliefs

By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane
28th June 2026

Women in Limpopo and the Eastern Cape travel up to 300km to access reproductive healthcare services, with many subsequently being denied the right to terminate pregnancies with dignity.

A report by Section 27 and the Centre for Child Law found that some healthcare workers are denying women legal abortions, on the basis of moral and religious beliefs.

Continued: https://sundayworld.co.za/politics/report-sparks-row-over-abortion-rights-healthcare-workers-beliefs/

IRELAND – Women who miscarry or have abortion will get paid leave under new plan being considered by coalition

Government moves to introduce new law after Northern Ireland and Malta brought in similar measures

Cónal Thomas
28 Jun 2026

Paid leave will be offered for the first time for women who suffer a miscarriage before 23 weeks of pregnancy, under plans being considered by the Government.

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke is examining legislative changes that will introduce five days’ paid leave for pregnancy loss before 23 weeks, in a move aimed at helping thousands of women each year.

Continued: https://www.pressreader.com/ireland/sunday-independent-ireland/20260628/281492168041704

28.06.2026

News

paid leave for abortion

paid leave for pregnancy loss

Ireland – Dail abortion vote that caused controversy is still not a law

June 27, 2026
By Sean Murphy

A CONTROVERSIAL abortion vote was passed in the Dail – but this does not mean that it has become law.

An amendment was proposed by Sinn Fein to the abortion legislation that was agreed by the country in a referendum eight years ago.

It passed a vote in Dail Eireann on June 17, prompting discussion about when it could become law, but it still has several stages to go, Oireachtas procedures have clarified.

Continued: https://donegalnews.com/dail-abortion-vote-that-caused-controversy-is-still-not-a-law/

27.06.2026

News

3-day waiting requirement

Mary Lou McDonald

Mary T Sweeny

Sinn Fein

three-day waiting period

Israel abortion application rates decline, with nearly all requests gaining approval, CBS reports

The rate of abortion applications decreased in 2024, and 99.8% of applications were approved in line with Israeli eligibility restrictions, reflecting high fertility rates among Israeli women.

By RUBY SADIKMAN
JUNE 27, 2026

The rate of applications for abortions in Israel declined in 2024, with 6.6 applications submitted for every 1,000 women of reproductive age, according to the latest report by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

The rate is down from 6.9 applications per 1,000 women in 2023, and 99.8% of applications were approved as of this report. Within that, a request was filed for 7.5 per 100 known pregnancies in the country, continuing a downward trend since 1988. The rate was more than double at the time, standing at 15.2 per 100 known pregnancies.

Continued: https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-900647

27.06.2026

News

pregnancy termination committee

Israel

Middle East

Go-slow or proper scrutiny? The divide over Bill scrapping three-day wait for abortion

Lack of a whip on the issue means an exercise in vote-hunting the Oireachtas rarely sees

Jack Horgan-Jones
Sat Jun 27 2026

There is, in the words of one TD on the Oireachtas health committee, a “clear division” among members about whether to subject Sinn Féin’s Bill scrapping the three-day waiting period for abortion services to further scrutiny.

Oireachtas committees scrutinise Bills all the time – although the process is, on occasion, waived when there’s a push on to get a new law on to the statute books.

Continued: https://archive.is/on309
(https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/06/27/go-slow-or-proper-scrutiny-the-divide-over-bill-scrapping-three-day-wait-for-abortion/)

27.06.2026

Commentary

3-day waiting requirement

Marie O’Shea

Sinn Féin

three-day waiting period

The USSR banned abortions, and women began to die.

June 27, 2026

In 1920, Soviet Russia became the first country in the world to legalize abortion. But on June 27, 1936, the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR adopted a resolution "On the Prohibition of Abortion"—and within sixteen years, the country had undergone a complete about-face: from revolutionary freedom to criminal prosecution.

What was banned and what was punished?
The decree banned abortions—both in hospitals and at home. Doctors faced one to two years in prison; if the abortion was performed in unsanitary conditions or by someone without medical training, the penalty was at least three years. Forcing a woman to have an abortion was up to two years in prison. The woman herself faced public censure, and a fine of up to 300 rubles for repeat offenses.

Continued: https://nemoskva.net/en/2026/06/27/zapret-abortov-v-sssr-postanovlenie-ot-27-iyunya-1936-goda/

27.06.2026

African Women’s Rights Charter Faces Challenge from Conservatives

26/06/2026
Kerry Cullinan

Human rights and legal experts have urged African governments not to buy into a draft charter being incubated by conservatives that will undermine the rights of women and girls.

Conflict, repressive laws and harmful cultural and religious practices conspire to undermine the health and safety of African women, girls and sexual minorities.

Now, one of the few continental treaties that protects women’s rights and promotes gender equality – known as the Maputo Protocol – is under threat from a conservative alliance with its roots in the Christian right-wing in the United States.

Continued: https://healthpolicy-watch.news/african-womens-rights-charter-faces-challenge-from-conservatives/

Update on abortion law reform in Scotland

The Scottish government is planning to reform abortion law. An expert group was set up in 2024 and its recommendations were published in November 2025.

Royal College of Nursing
25 Jun 2026

The Scottish government asked key stakeholders, including the RCN, to share views on the 36 recommendations that set out what reforms the expert group think the Scottish government should make. Our feedback will be used by the Scottish government to inform their next steps, and we expect the government to publish its proposals for abortion reform later this year or early 2027.

Most of the 36 recommendations made by the expert group are in keeping with RCN’s positions on abortion law reform. Our positions focus on the right to choose; access to safe care; the right to conscientious objection except in an emergency; and that abortion is governed by regulatory not criminal law.

Continued: https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/abortion-law-reform-250626

25.06.2026

Commentary

abortion law reform

ANdrew Jackson

Royal College of Nursing

Ireland – TDs seek extra scrutiny of Bill removing three-day wait for abortion over fear of backlash

Some Government TDs argue at Oireachtas health committee that pushing Bill through rapidly could cause divisions

Jack Horgan-Jones
Thu Jun 25 2026

Government TDs are seeking extra scrutiny of legislation removing the three-day waiting period for abortion services due to fears of a potential backlash from voters over it being “railroaded” through the Dáil.

Many Coalition TDs, including senior Ministers, voted against the Sinn Féin Bill in the Dáil earlier this month, but it passed with the support of Opposition TDs and Government members including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

Continued: https://www.irishtimes.com/politics/2026/06/25/tds-seek-extra-scrutiny-of-bill-removing-three-day-wait-for-abortion-over-fear-of-backlash/

25.06.2026