WOMEN across the world are sharing their abortion stories on Twitter but in Ireland it has proved controversial.
The hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion began trending in Ireland yesterday after pro-choice campaigners in the US began the initiative.
American writers Amelia Bonow and Lindy West started their campaign after the US government cut funding to Planned Parenting, which provides abortion services.
Ms Bonow's personal story of abortion kickstarted the trend.
"Plenty of people still believe that on some level - if you are a good woman - abortion is a choice which should be accompanied by some level of sadness, shame or regret," she wrote.
"But you know what? I have a good heart and having an abortion made me happy in a totally unqualified way."
In Ireland, termination is only permitted in extreme circumstances meaning many women travel abroad for the procedure.
Britain is one of many “abortion tourism” hotspots for Irish women who do not wish to continue with a pregnancy.
Pro-life and pro-choice campaigners in Ireland clashed once again at the issue, using the hashtag as a way to highlight their sides of the argument.
Some agreed it was time for women to talk
Proud of the ladies on the #ShoutYourAbortion tag. Fight the stigma!
— Eimear (@TyrionsEmmy) September 22, 2015
#shoutyourabortion is a great idea, women should be let tell their stories without shame or stigma, Ireland #repealthe8th Solidarity! — Declan Meenagh, (@declancabra) September 22, 2015
Not sure about the # but it does show that people are idiots. Rape, abuse, poverty... also contraception is never 100%. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Tina O'Sullivan (@tiners69) September 22, 2015
#ShoutYourAbortion Say it and proudly say it, you brave, wonderful people :) — Eoghan Lyng (@EoghanLyng) September 21, 2015
But others were completely against the trend
Mum & Dad eloped from Ireland to have me in the late 50s. I was one of the Lucky ones.I could have ended up with the nuns.#ShoutYourAbortion — Joan Collins (@JoannieCo) September 22, 2015
#ShoutYourAbortion is actually trending. Encouraging women to 'shout out' about the murder of their unborn child. Society has hit a new low — Ambs (@Amber_Mc_Manus) September 22, 2015
the #ShoutYourAbortion tweets are disgusting and sad that people actually think killing a baby is something to shout loud and proud about✋
— Caoimheog Doherty (@keevogue) September 21, 2015
#ShoutYourAbortion is nothing to be proud of; its sick,its cruel and its extremely selfish...Not just your life its a babys too..
— boiledsweets (@boiledsweets1) September 22, 2015
The abortion debate in Ireland has flared up again as Taoiseach Enda Kenny indicated that next year's General Election will take place in February.
Pro-choice campaigners are seeking politicians to put the issue on their agenda ahead of the vote.
The pro-choice side saw a boost last week when more than 240 well-known Irish figures in literature, art and music leant their support to a campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment of the Irish Constitution which prohibits abortion.
See More: Abortion, Featured, Shout Your Abortion
