Chris O'Dowd is calling for men to make their voices heard on 25 May.
Actor Chris O'Dowd has called on Irish men to vote in their masses when the referendum on whether or not to repeal the 8th Amendment to the Constitution takes place on 25 May.
Speaking as part of Amnesty International Ireland's 'Vote Yes' campaign, the Roscommon actor knows that a large turnout is vital in securing the vote and vanquishing a law that denies women the right to autonomy over their own bodies.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to stand with our wives, our girlfriends, our mothers, our daughters, our friends.
"Be part of the future, not the past. Every vote really, really counts. We all need to come out and vote Yes on May 25th,” said O’Dowd.
“As a man, it’s worrying that a lot of polls are saying that men aren’t going to come out and vote. They feel that in some way it’s not their business. But this is not something we can stay out of. Those voting ‘no’ won’t be staying out it. This is our chance to be united with people who have difficult times ahead, to stand with the women you love. We have to vote Yes.”
"We are only 11 days away from this historic vote. As we get closer to polling day, it is vitally important that people engage on the question we are being asked to decide on May 25th," said Sorcha Tunney, Campaign Coordinator of ‘It’s Time’ for Amnesty International Ireland.
"It’s clear that unless we vote yes, and repeal the Eighth Amendment, Ireland will continue to violate the rights of women and girls.
"These are not just words on paper; it means countless women and girls facing criminalisation if they access abortion pills in this country, or being forced to travel abroad. For those who cannot travel, it means being forced to continue with pregnancies against their will regardless of the impact on their health, their families and their lives.
"It means having to take abortion pills illegally without proper medical support. It means ongoing stigma, shame and grave harm for yet another generation.
“It’s really heartening that so many men are coming out in support of the Yes campaign to repeal the Eighth Amendment. This is an issue that first and foremost affects women and girls, but we need men to stand with us on May 25th. For any man out there who believes that women facing crisis pregnancies deserve compassion and not exile to another country, they need to show that support by getting out there and voting Yes.”
Meanwhile, O'Dowd's fellow actor Brian F. O'Byrne used his
acceptance speech at the BAFTA TV awards - where he was named Best Supporting Actor for his role in Little Boy Blue - to make his own call for a Yes vote in the referendum.
Wearing a Together For Yes badge, O'Byrne said: "On a personal thing, I'd like to thank the staff of the Liverpool women's hospital for looking after my fellow Irish citizens who come there in distress, daily..."
At that point, a swell of applause broke from the audience.
"Thank you Britain, for looking after our women in their time of need," he concluded.
