Ruth Coppinger speaks at Savita protest

The case of a pregnant 16 year old being refused a place in a private Catholic school in Munster has caused  widespread shock and disgust. The issue came to light in a report from the Ombudsman for Children’s rights.

In April of this year, the government parties, including the Labour Party that claims to have a pro-choice position, shamefully rejected a bill to legislate for the X Case, introduced by Socialist Party TD, Clare Daly. The persistent conservatism of the political establishment was exposed and women in Ireland (like the estimated 150,000 women who have travelled abroad to access a termination since 1980 before them), continue to suffer the consequences.

The accepted invitation to visit Britain in September 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI has afforded the Vatican a major platform to promote their reactionary and bigoted ideology.

International Women's Day Protest - 6pm at the Spire, Friday 8 March

• Stand up for women's right to choose
• Stop violence against women
• Rage against rape
• Oppose austerity & the assault on the public sector