Irish women are tweeting the prime minister about their periods in abortion ban protest

 By 
Blathnaid Healy
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

DUBLIN -- Irish women have taken a new approach to their campaign against the country's abortion ban -- they're tweeting the Taoiseach, the country's prime minister, about their menstrual cycles.

Started by comedian and writer Grainne Maguire, the campaign is calling for the government to #repealthe8th, the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution, which gives a foetus the same rights as the mother -- criminalising abortion.

Maguire started the campaign earlier this week, saying that if the government cares so much about Irish women's reproductive parts they should hear more about them.

Since we know how much the Irish state cares about our reproductive parts-I call my womb Ireland's littlest embassy ;-) #repealthe8th (1/3)— Gráinne Maguire (@GrainneMaguire) November 2, 2015

I think its only fair that the women of Ireland let our Leader @EndaKennyTD know the full details of our menstrual cycle #repealthe8th (2/3)— Gráinne Maguire (@GrainneMaguire) November 2, 2015

Hey @EndaKennyTD just so you know, I got my period two days ago. Pretty heavy flow at first but now just occasional spotting #repealthe8th— Gráinne Maguire (@GrainneMaguire) November 2, 2015

Since Maguire's three tweets, dozens of other women have joined the campaign by tweeting Enda Kenny.

So @EndaKennyTD, my period's just over. But I could tweet you some old smear test results, if you'd like? #repealthe8th— Tara Flynn (@TaraFlynn) November 4, 2015

@EndaKennyTD I'm #prochoice, don't get me wrong - but is buying anything other than name-brand tampons a mistake? #repealthe8th— Maureen O'Hare (@Twackah) November 4, 2015

@EndaKennyTD Just got a heavy flow..Pads or tampons??? I'm clearly unable to make this decision myself @GrainneMaguire #repealthe8th— Polly Doyle (@Peeleens) November 4, 2015

First day of a brand new period @EndaKennyTD ! Thought you'd like to know! #repealthe8th— *kirsti (@_kirsti) November 6, 2015

Oh and! If anyone should ever ask your advice @EndaKennyTD, tell them removing one's mooncup in the shower is like a Dexter reenactment. — Rosemary Mac Cabe (@RosemaryMacCabe) November 4, 2015

Hey @EndaKennyTD, only 9 days left until the tide comes back in! Expert advice & chocolate appreciated! #repealthe8th #getwithit #buzzoff— Sian (@SianElizabethR) November 6, 2015

@EndaKennyTD I'm just crampy and tired and maybe anemic...do you think I need iron tablets? #repealthe8th— Norma Costello (@normcos) November 4, 2015

Hey @EndaKennyTD I'm post period so I can crack out 'the good undies' now. Phew. We're safe from the Crimson Curse. This time. #repealthe8th— Ciara Jane Duffy (@ciaramcduffman) November 4, 2015

The total ban on abortion in Ireland was only lifted in 2013 for cases where the life of the mother is in danger -- the change was prompted following the death of a woman who was not allowed to abort her dying foetus.

Mashable has reached out to Maguire for comment about the campaign.

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