The decision to undergo an abortion is never taken likely.

So it's shocking to think that the procedure is still illegal in Ireland. 

As a result, two Irish women have decided to live-tweet their journey to the UK for an abortion, using the anonymous account @TwoWomenTravel to update followers on their progress and address the on-going injustice facing women in Ireland. 

According to the account, the pair's journey started at 5.am on Saturday and commenced with the tweet:

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With each tweet including the Twitter handle of Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, the pair have provided regular updates as to their progress and voiced the sadness they share at having to travel abroad to undergo a procedure banned in their home country. 

The friends' trip to the UK comes two months after the UN's Human Rights committee ruled the Irish government's continued ban on abortion subjected a woman to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and urged its Prime Minister to reform its legislation. 

In Ireland, undergoing an abortion illegally carries a prison sentence of up to 14 years, forcing many women to travel abroad for the procedure. The Guardian estimates that 'about 10 women a day' travel from Ireland to other countries in the hope of acquiring an abortion. 

Since the women started their journey, they have received an outpouring of support from around the world:

The pair returned to Ireland last night and thanked their supporters. They also asked for their Prime Minister to repeal the eighth amendment (that gives a foetus equal rights to the woman carrying it), telling him 'your speaks volumes and the world has  heard you'.

A heartbreaking but brave fight for autonomy. 

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.