Speeches

Mr President, the mental health crisis among young people in Ireland and across the EU demands urgent attention, and it'd be remiss of me not to acknowledge the fact that lesson what 2 % or 3 % representation of this Parliament sits in the Chamber tonight to discuss such an important issue, that is, the second leading cause of death for our young people: death by suicide. And yet, Commissioner, we have an empty Chamber. That's not on you – that's on us. And it's certainly disrespectful to the young people and their families who are losing their lives on a daily basis, because we don't get things right in this House. In rural Ireland, for example, services are often distant or unavailable, and young people may not know where to turn to. And I think of the parents, the guardians and teachers who are trying to help out and give the necessary resources without the training supports that they need the most. And this is where we step in. This is where Member States need to be able to see and understand how to tackle the growing crisis that is impacting their communities, and it's vital this direction comes at EU level to protect future generations from this crisis. It has to come from here. It has to be funded by the MFF. We have to see an EU mental health strategy and a European Year to go with it and ultimately not see statistics again and again and again telling us our young people are dying by suicide.

Mr President, what lies before us now is a fragile promise of peace. The ceasefire, while essential, is only the first step, and our focus must now shift to two key issues: accountability and the long road to rebuilding Gaza. A ceasefire does not erase the wrongs of yesterday, and peace will not take root without justice. As the violence ends, we hope, we must ensure that accountability is brought to the fore. Accountability is the foundation on which a lasting peace will be built, ensuring stability in the Middle East in the challenging years ahead, along with justice for the many thousands and thousands of victims. I welcome the Commission's announcement last week of a new aid package for Gaza. But let us be very clear – this is just the beginning. Rebuilding homes, schools and hospitals must require not just money, but strategic vision. The EU, US and UK must lead in investing in the long-term recovery of Gaza's devastated infrastructure. I'm immensely proud of the Irish people's unwavering support for a ceasefire. Even when our critics were loud and harsh, Ireland has stood firm and I have every confidence that we will continue to fight for peace. But this burden can no longer rest on a handful of nations – all 27 Member States must step forward with real and meaningful actions, not just words. The promise of peace is tangible for Israelis and Palestinians alike, but let us not mistake this moment as an end. This is only the beginning of the work we must all do collectively.

Mr President, in 2023, the University College Dublin conducted a survey of over 250 Irish farmers. Over 20 % of farmers surveyed shared they had experienced suicidal ideation in the previous two weeks and nearly 40 % reported experiencing moderate to extremely severe stress. These alarming statistics are a snapshot into the mental health crisis gripping our agricultural community across the EU. Ireland is not an outlier. In France, in 2020, the rate of death by suicide among farmers was over 43 % higher than the national average. In Poland, 168 families lost their farmer in their life by suicide in 2021. We know, through research, the three key indicators of such lives lost are: increasing regulation, designed here in this House; the lack of consistency in agribusiness, which creates financial pressures; and the fact that farming is overwhelmingly done in isolation. This simply can't go on. Commissioner, I, like many of our EU farmers, appreciated your honest reply in your hearing to the mental health of our farming and rural community. I believe that you will work to ensure the issues facing our agriculture sector are alleviated and ultimately farmers can do what they do best and what they love to do, which is farm. But this isn't just on you; this is on each and every one of us – left, right, centre – to deliver the consistency they need.

Mr President, in 2020, a University of Galway study found that 96 % of Irish female politicians received threatening messages, while three quarters faced online threats of physical violence. Deepfake technology has escalated the threat of online harassment of all female politicians. Deepfakes are being weaponised to spread fake news, political misinformation and, most alarmingly, to perpetrate sexual harassment. These manipulated videos violate a woman's privacy and endanger her career and her personal life, and the impact is deeper than this, sadly. It threatens to silence women in public life overall. Fears of such attacks discourage women from running for office or speaking out on key issues. Image‑based sexual abuse increasingly undermines their ability to participate in politics. The AI Act and the DSA mandate transparency for AI‑generated media and content moderation, including clear rules and notice and take‑down procedures for deepfakes. And our Commission and Member States need to do more to implement the safeguards to detect and prevent harmful deepfakes and to address gender‑specific digital threats within AI regulations. Legislation without implementation is failing female politicians. How can we expect women to lead and speak out if we fail to protect them from these attacks?

Madam President, we speak tonight on the urgent need to address the gender pay gap, and time and time again, discussions about equality seem to echo late at night in an empty Chamber, leaving me with a great sense of frustration. There are 20 colleagues here tonight, representing over 51 % of our population in the EU. Last mandate we delivered binding pay transparency measures through the directive on pay transparency, but gender equality isn't just about pay, it's about securing women's future. Take pensions for example. Women on average retire with significantly lower pensions compared to men, a direct consequence of the pay disparity faced throughout their careers. Let's not forget pink tax too. Women pay a higher price for products simply because they are marketed for us as female – from toiletries to clothing to services like dry cleaning, thousands of euros are hidden in tax that hits the wallets of women across the EU, further widening the financial gap. We desperately must build on the directive for the thousands of women who are currently setting up their businesses and can't access capital, or the many who are experiencing physical, mental and financial abuse in partnerships but stay to protect their families.

Good evening, colleague. I wouldn't be waving. How dare you? How dare you insult the women that represent thousands of women, our allies, who represent thousands of women across the EU? And actually, as you were speaking, colleague, can you really stand over the fact that, in your country ‑ the Netherlands, I believe ‑ 33 % of women in a relationship have experienced violence by an intimate partner? In total, 17 % have experienced physical violence and 32 % have experienced psychological violence? Can you actually stand over what you just said about us women and your own people, who sadly elected you to this Parliament that believes in democracy and equality? Shame on you, sir. Shame on you.

Mr President, I speak this evening with mixed emotions as we address the issue that has impacted generations of women across the EU for far too long, and that is violence against women. Like some of you in this debate, every time I speak on this growing issue, the weight of inaction grows heavier. Yet I am also immensely proud of the Parliament's landmark legislative achievement passed in this last mandate, which is a bedrock of women's safety. As former Irish MEP Frances Fitzgerald outlined, the gender-based violence legislation represents a historic milestone in our EU for women's rights. While this legislation is progressing, violence against women has not stopped, and I think of the harrowing stories of Gisèle Pelicot in France or Nikita Hand in Ireland. And we must remember that neither person should have had to endure such horror. I think, too, of the strength of women in Poland fighting daily for their fundamental rights to autonomy, to their own bodies, and the women in the United States who watch in disbelief as individuals and public representatives show blatant disregard for their rights and dignity. Here in this House, we strive to ensure that women's rights are upheld with unwavering conviction. But let us be honest with ourselves: our responsibility does not end with legislation. Violence against women does not appear out of nowhere. It arises from deeply rooted sexism that pervades our culture, institutions and attitudes, and it simply must end.

Madam President, I come from a country that has endured the harsh consequences of restricting women's reproductive healthcare choices. In Ireland, there were times when pregnant women were institutionalised, deprived of their rights and subjected to deep suffering due to state-imposed restrictions on their reproductive decisions. While Ireland has made significant progress, the scars of the past still linger. The debate today centres around Poland, where women are currently being denied access to abortion care. State involvement in women's bodies is not only unjust, it undermines their dignity. A policy designed for women should not disregard female autonomy. It ultimately invades their own choices. We know the cost of silencing female autonomy, for prioritising politics over well-being or dignity. We hear colleagues here this evening doing the same. I urge Poland to listen, to learn from our history and to honour its commitments under the Committee on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Access to safe and legal abortion is not just a matter of health. It's a matter of justice and equality. And ultimately, folks, dear colleagues, dear Commission, dear Member States, we cannot fail our women and we must not fail our women. I stand here with all the women who have had to make difficult choices for themselves – and that's what it is: for themselves.

Mr President, leaders across the globe are failing to heed the desperate cries of hunger in Sudan. Young children are starving to death in the world's largest humanitarian crisis. As many as 150 000 people have been killed by fighting. More than 10 million have fled their homes, and 25 million people are at risk of hunger. Famine has been declared in Darfur, the only place in the world where a full-scale famine has been declared in years. Some estimate that 2.5 million citizens could die by the end of the year. Yet the world has barely responded. What makes this even more incomprehensible is that this region is the breadbasket of East Africa. There is no natural reason for there to be a famine here. This crisis of hunger and starvation is entirely man-made. Access to life-saving food is being weaponised by both sides. The two parties are constantly blocking access through theft, attacks on aid convoys, bureaucratic red tape and arbitrary permit denials. Aid trucks can wait up to six weeks or more to be clear for onward travel. In Sudan, hunger has been turned into a weapon of war. The number one priority must be ensuring an end to the crisis of hunger through the passage of aid. The EU can and must create a space for both parties to negotiate access for food. Until aid flows safely, the cries of hunger will continue.

Madam President, once again, I stand here and reiterate the call for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. I do so with the singular intention of bringing about peace and ending the loss and pain felt by innocent lives on all sides over these past 12 months. The agreement is of economic importance to Israel, with an estimated worth of 46 billion alone last year and it is EU strongest economic lever in its ability to bring about peace in the Middle East, just one of its strongest levers. Last week I wrote to our Taoiseach, Simon Harris, asking that he double down on the Irish Government's request to President Ursula von der Leyen for a review of this agreement and this follows on from the initial request from Ireland and Spain for review last February. And, as I'm aware, no response to this request has been received. It is extremely disappointing that the Commission has thus far ignored the urgent request from EU Member States and it seems that we're no closer to this review now than we were six months ago. I look forward to the Irish Government's continuing to push for an urgent review for as long as it takes.

Mr President, gender equality has been and remains central to my work and I'm honoured to join the Women's Rights and Gender Equality Committee this term. The trailblazers of our last mandate – and I think of Evin and my colleague Frances Fitzgerald – who set a strong foundation with the directive combating violence against women. But our work continues. Violence against women is a systemic problem that devastates communities, especially in rural areas where silence prevails. With over 30 % of the EU population living in rural regions, and as an MEP representing a majority rural area, this issue is particularly close to my heart. The reality is stark: 1 in 3 women in our EU today has endured physical or sexual violence. And in our rural communities, women face unique challenges: geographical isolation and limited access to vital resources that can leave them feeling trapped. Organisations like Esker House in Athlone, County Westmeath, are doing critical work creating safe spaces for those in need and we have a responsibility to amplify our support to organisations like Esker House who work so tirelessly. Gender-based violence is a preventable human rights violation deeply rooted in inequality and underfunded resources. This is unacceptable and we must end it. And if I am allowed, President, I just want to thank, and on record, Commissioner Dalli for your work on LGBTI rights and women's rights and equality overall.

Madam President, most of us know where we were on this day 12 months ago. But a year from now, where will we be? Will we be inside this very Chamber, marking the second anniversary of 7 October, while an escalating war continues to wage outside? Some 42 988 people have died, 105 400 people are injured and that, dear friends, is just what's been reported. While we must reflect on the past 12 months of loss and savagery, we must also urgently focus on the 12 months ahead of us. Sadly, we cannot change the events of the past, but we can commit ourselves to never allowing loss of innocent lives to happen again. If we fail to look at the next 12 months with hope and with absolute commitment to protecting innocent lives, well, we are failing, and we are simply failing as ourselves, in a privileged position here as EU representatives. Peace is possible, but we must take necessary and hard steps to get there. And it will be a shame on all of us if we simply allow repeated events to happen this time next year. Violence can't go on.

Madam President, over six months ago, the Irish Government called for an urgent review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Time has since passed. Thousands of innocent Palestinians have been killed and innocent hostages on the Israeli side, not yet released. And yet the Commission and many Member States in the European Union have failed to answer any calls. The EU is Israel's largest trading partner, with the agreement worth over EUR 46 billion last year. And one of the essential components of the agreement is respect for human rights. I'm not the first MEP to say that tonight and I won't be the last. However, what is happening to Palestinians right now is a human-rights violation of its highest order. And we can call it many different things. I have used the term genocide because that is what I believe it is. Following on from a letter sent to President Ursula von der Leyen with my colleagues, I once again urgently call for immediate review of the agreement. The EU's response or dare I say, lack of response, over these some 345 days is a defining moment for us all. What began as the world's most successful peace project cannot now turn its back on one of the most violent and lethal atrocities of the 21st century.

Madam President, over 30 000 lives have been lost over the last 143 days. The citizens of our European Union have spoken continuously, sharing their activism on the streets, speaking out on their social media platforms and leading. And they have been looking for you and I, their political leaders, particularly in the Commission and Council, in the European Union, to lead them. And what are we doing? The consistent and brutal violation of fundamental rights needs to end, and it’s obvious to us all that the violence will not end without USA, EU and UK intervention. In the name of the Palestinian women and children killed, we demand a permanent ceasefire in the name of the Palestinian women and children killed, we demand immediate humanitarian assistance, in particular food and medical supplies. In the name of the Palestinian women and children, I re-echo the Irish Government’s call to immediately review – may I add, end – the EU-Israel Association Agreement? We are witnessing a genocide. We must lead with our hearts, our humanity... (The President cut off the speaker)

Madam President, Commissioner, as always, here for a late-night debate on LGBTI rights. Thank you very much for your continued support. Colleagues, the right to equal treatment and non-discrimination is a fundamental right enshrined in the EU Treaties. On 8 March, Ireland will hold two referendums that directly impact the LGBTI+ community: one question focuses on the family and the second on care. These are progressive referendums that, in my eyes, will ensure the empowerment of our citizens to shape their country’s future, uphold democratic values, and promote equality, dignity and respect for all families. Let me focus on the first one, which is to amend Article 41. The positive impact in revising the definition of ‘family’ is to explicitly provide a wider concept of family beyond just the traditional concept of marriage. If passed, we will recognise the diversity of families that exist in our society, ensuring rainbow families, one-parent families and couples – regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity – are recognised in the Irish Constitution, acknowledging their rights as equal members of our society. I urge Irish people to continue to follow the path to progress, to vote and safeguard the rights for families and gender equality, and collectively continue to adapt our Constitution to a modern Europe in a modern European Union. Constitutional change sends a powerful message of acceptance, equality and inclusion. This is the type of Member State and EU change we need to see progress in the future of all and any LGBTI strategies. I welcome this review. I’m just always disappointed – and I’m going to use my last few seconds here – to say that at 8 o’clock at night yet again on a Wednesday of plenary, we have about less than 30 colleagues, led by Commissioner Dalli, in probably one of the most politically incised conversations we have in our time. LGBTQ+ communities, minority groups, people who are seen as ‘other’ will be used as a political ping pong game. And it’s up to us 30 and hopefully many more allies to end this ridicule and injustice for all.

Madam President, Commissioner, parliamentarians, illegal hate speech has no place in our society online or offline. Illegal hate speech needs to be met with a level of punishment set at EU level. In Ireland, the Oireachtas is currently working on a new criminal justice bill specifically dedicated to hate speech. In December, our capital city of Dublin witnessed riots which were motivated by hate and by violence, fuelled by those who want to see us divided. Those who purposely peddle hate speech, who incite violence, have become smarter, unfortunately. They use social media platforms as a tool to take advantage of people by bombarding them with false information or by dressing their hate speech in subtle language, so the line between freedom of speech and hatred is blurred. Elon Musk has tried to create outrage by saying that the Digital Services Act will result in armed police storming people's houses. He can pretend that he defends free speech, but do not be confused: he and some others who shout against this legislation are focused only on their own self-interests. We cannot allow them to continue to be unchecked. We must ensure that the Digital Services Act, another law introduced to eradicate hate speech, holds those who continue to undermine our democracy, our equality and our peace to account.

Madam President, digital literacy is not just a specific and lucrative job skill set. It is also part of understanding and navigating the world we live in. If we are to remain competitive, we need to keep pace with the evolving digital world. Member States, like my own, Ireland, have taken steps in developing a digital inclusion roadmap, which is working to increase digital literacy to 80% by 2030. A major gap I do see though, and continuously see, is in the gender digital divide. We need more policies and programmes like the Women Reboot programme, designed for women who have taken time out of their career in technology and are ready to reignite their careers in a unique, supportive environment that considers the specific needs and challenges faced by women to ensure inclusivity and equality in the digital landscape. Digital upskilling is essential for women in closing gender gaps in employment and income, offering access to greater opportunities, and thus for empowering women to shape their own future.

Madam President, Commissioner, gender has a cost, and this cost is referred to as ‘pink tax’, a form of discriminatory pricing based on gender-targeting products and services for women. On the surface, it might seem like a trivial concern, but closer examination reveals a system that perpetrates gender-based economic inequality. Items such as razors, deodorants and dry cleaning, when marketed towards women, more often come from a higher price tag compared to the male targeted counterparts. Period products, which are essential health products, fall victim to the pink tax, resulting in inflated prices solely because of their gender association. This discriminatory pricing exacerbates period poverty and leaves many unable to afford these necessary items. Breaking the bank for essential products seems wrong, don’t you think, In today’s 2024 era? Addressing the pink tax requires a collective effort. Transparency in pricing and challenging companies to re-evaluate their practices is crucial. No one should bear a price tag for their gender, and it is time to put an end to pink tax too.

Mr President, Union strives to stay competitive on the global stage, we must not forget or take for granted the pivotal role that quality jobs must hold across industries and sectors in shaping our future. Our policies must continue to support upskilling, innovation, research and development, with a robust digital infrastructure to develop cutting-edge industries and foster collaboration between academia, research institutions and businesses. But let me reiterate something I’ve said in this chamber many times before this debate: our policies are needed to ensure these quality jobs are more accessible and sustainable for women, and I welcome the Commissioner’s words on gender balance – because for women and mothers in the workforce, it’s simply not good enough. We need policies that break down barriers to allow women to re-enter the workforce after taking some time as a caregiver, policies that foster a workplace that values work-life balance, respects diverse family structures, ensures equal pay for equal work, and understands the unique challenges faced by working mothers. Gender equality isn’t just a social justice issue; it’s an economic imperative.

Mr President, Commissioner, it is quite a sad debate this evening, isn’t it? ‘Parenthood’, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is the state of being a parent and the responsibilities involved. Ironic, isn’t it? As, within the European Union, this definition only applies to some, not all. It’s a hard one to fathom, as you heard from my colleagues, that in 2023, blended families, those who adopt, those who go through altruistic surrogacy, and our rainbow families have limited to no protection nationally. I welcome the Parenthood Certificate, as it clarifies the rights as a parent and a family across the EU, while ensuring that children do not lose the protection of their parents. And our children deserve this protection. Just yesterday, the Irish Government announced legislation that will approve and recognise surrogacy arrangements. This means the parent or parents who have cared for and nurture their children, yet have not been legally recognised as parents, will finally be recognised as such. I commend the work done on the certificate, as it ensures an additional step forward for equality but we need to recognise national legislation and this EU certificate must also recognise LGBTI+ families. After tomorrow’s Parliament vote on this file, the final decision on this legislation will be taken by Member States, as family law sadly falls under national powers. And so, I plead with the Commission and all Member States to ensure that their national laws and policy reflects and supports all families, not just some. I say this in honour of baby Sarah.

Madam President, Commissioner, the rising cost of living is affecting everyone, with people spending more of their income on basic living expenses such as housing, food and utilities. However, it is the younger generation who are more affected than most as they balance part-time jobs with lower wages, instability in these roles, and the struggle to find decent housing solutions relative to their work, study and circumstance. In many European cities, particularly capital cities and major urban areas, housing costs have surged, making it impossible for younger generations to afford homes. A record number are living at home with their parents with a sense of hopelessness. And how could they not feel hopeless when the average house price in Berlin is over EUR 700 000, Paris showing over EUR 1 million, and Dublin with a starting sale price of EUR 600 000. Since the financial crash, we’ve seen a shortage of construction workers. We have lost generations of apprentices who were forced to emigrate for work. Even now, we have significant delays and bureaucratic red tape in planning permissions, all leading to a slower pace of construction. These factors have contributed to the insufficient supply of homes in Ireland and across the EU. Periods of underinvestment in housing and the subsequent increase in demand due to population increases have exposed the need for more investment in the construction of new homes, revamping of derelict buildings and development zones that have not been built on for over a decade. This is a crisis and the EU must respond. The EU has supported initiatives as outlined by the Commissioner, like the affordable housing, energy efficiency and urban development and more is needed, specifically targeting our young people. Creating more affordable housing options is of utmost importance and we need a continued EU targeted strategy that enhances education and skills to develop a more skilled workforce, increase funding for affordable housing, continue with programmes like we have in Ireland for first-time buyers, even though opposition wants to cut it, and promote private sector investment in construction. I call on all of us, as a collective, to develop tangible solutions in Europe’s housing crisis. A home is more than a shelter. It is security.

Madam President, I wish to follow in the footsteps of my colleague MEP Cerdas by spending this time to remind our farm families and rural communities that, just as you and your families tend to your land on behalf of us Europeans, please also tend to the mental health also. Farmers’ hard work sustains us all, and yet, day in and day out, our farmers’ day can be overwhelming. It can be isolating, and face constant change in policy, driven here by the Parliament, leaving their mental health to be destroyed at times. A terrifying reality is that suicide ideation is twice as high among farmers than in the general population. So I’m pleading to all our farmers to break the silence, the stigma and the fear, and ask for help. In my own country of Ireland, we have taken steps in the right direction with programmes such as ‘On Firm Ground’ and ‘Make the Move’, and research recently done by UCD School of Agriculture and Food. But I plead with the Commission today to make mental health a real political priority. We need mental health initiatives and continuous funding at an EU level to stop death by suicide, and substantially support our farmers, colleagues, friends and families faced with this silent pandemic in our society today.

Mr President, there will always be more tears, more women murdered by their partners, women kidnapped and tortured in war zones, women raped by strangers. Femicide, female genital mutilation, sexual assault, revenge porn, online abuse – women live in fear. Irishwoman Ashling Murphy went for a very simple run on a bright Wednesday afternoon in January, and she was one of 12 women murdered in Ireland last year. Every year we shed tears over senseless and inhumane acts of violence against women, and there are times where I wonder whether we have become desensitised to it all. Certainly, my colleague who spoke before me has no emotion at all towards us or women who lose their lives. Many women no longer feel safe when they are out for a walk or waiting for a bus. For many, home is not even safe. Most of us know someone who’s been sexually assaulted. More and more of us are recognising that we or people we know have experienced domestic or emotional abuse, and those numbers are rising. And there are tears. Fearful, empathetic, angry tears. There are always more victims. There are always more women we have failed to protect. And today, let us take the time to recognise that we have not made European women feel safe. And let us take a moment to recognise the fear still remains. Let us also take those tears, that emotion, that anger, and turn it into change and fundamentally call out the nonsensical commentary from the extreme right, like my colleague before. We cannot drag our heels on the Violence against Women Directive, and I call on EU governments – Spanish missing here today – to push for an agreement on this immediately if we are serious about protecting women and young girls.

Madam President, Commissioner, colleagues, many of us in this Chamber have discussed at length the plight of people living in the silent pandemic that is our mental health crisis. While the EU institutions have been more open to discussing the stigma and discrimination faced by people – thanks to Commissioner Kyriakides and her department’s communication prioritising sound mental health for all – are we doing enough? Harrowing statistics outlined by leading agencies like the WHO, UNICEF, Mental Health Europe are telling us, are screaming at us that people’s mental health is getting worse, drastically worse. We live in a European Union where death by suicide is a leading cause of death for our young people. We need more horizontal planning and funding. The Commission has the responsibility to examine all relevant possibilities to this approach, irrespective of EU competency, and we must urgently create an EU mental health strategy that works for all. Shifting focus to EU workplaces, rapid technological advancements, environmental and societal changes, and sadly, threats of terrorist attacks and raging wars are affecting and damaging the ability of people to cope. Reports tell us that 50 % of European workers identify stress that is so common that it is contributing to over half of the absenteeism in our workplaces. Therefore, mental health must be included in the Occupational Health and Safety Directive. You will hear other colleagues call for this. Good mental health and well-being at work is fundamental to ensuring quality of life for every worker and their family because we take our mental health home and we take it to the workplace, as well as positive economic outcomes for society as a whole. Only by firmly placing psychosocial aspects of work at the heart of the new EU Occupational Health and Safety Framework will we really create tangible benefits that will impact workers and their families right across our European Union.

Thank you very much, colleague, and thank you for giving me an opportunity to highlight, even within the EU, our EU citizens – again disproportionately affecting women – in my country of Ireland have been underserved at a national, local and an EU level in terms of access to sexual reproductive healthcare. Many are still fleeing to the United Kingdom or further afield, many are not seeking and getting the support they need in their local GP or hospital. And unfortunately, we have a very darkened history of such. When you look at the clerical abuses and the institutional abuses of the Magdalene Laundries, of the mother and baby homes of other institutions where we’ve swept the support around sexual abuse, sexual violence, the requirement for abortions, and the decision by women to have a choice over their bodies further afield. So we know too well what many of these women are going through.