Ailbhe Smyth has been involved in the women’s movement in the Republic of Ireland since 1970 but recently became the go-to figurehead for the coalition to repeal the eighth amendment; a collection of organisations fighting together to confine the eighth amendment of the Irish constitution, which gives a foetus the same rights as a woman and therefore outlaws abortion in all circumstances, to the dustbin of history.

A former academic in the Women’s Studies department at University College Dublin, Smyth retired ten years ago and now devotes herself to the cause full time.

Speaking to Stylist, she says: “I don’t think of myself as ‘leading the charge’ as there are so many brilliant women involved. But maybe because I’m the oldest I’m seen in that way!”

This weekend, the Citizens Assembly in Ireland recommended unrestricted access to abortion after meeting to take a ballot on the current situation.

The ball is now in Irish politicians’ courts after the government got what Smyth calls “a more radical and progressive outcome than they bargained for.”

Smyth and other repeal the eighth campaigners are now calling on the Irish government to give the public a referendum on the issue, similar to the Marriage Equality Referendum of 2015 which saw same sex couples granted marriage recognition.

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