The clear vote in favour of overturning the harsh restrictions on abortion in Ireland is a welcome sign of both democracy in action and the advancing women’s movement (“Ireland ends abortion ban”, May 27). The fact that the referendum was a result of pressure brought upon the government in response to completely avoidable medical emergencies, including the death of Savita Halappanavar, is also a reflection of both a responsive government and the power of people’s pressure. The joyous scenes of young campaigners singing and celebrating in the streets of Ireland after the results are a great advertisement for democracy, reinstalling one’s faith in its mechanism.
Firoz Ahmad,
New Delhi
