It’s part of the ‘It’s Time’ campaign.
Graham Linehan, Ardal O’Hanlon and Shane Horgan have joined with Amnesty International Ireland in support of a Yes vote in this month’s Eighth Amendment referendum.
Along with Amnesty International Ireland, the trio have launched a series of videos advocating for a Yes vote in the referendum as part of the ‘It’s Time’ campaign.
In the first video, writer and director Graham Linehan, actor and comedian Ardal O’Hanlon and Irish rugby star Shane Horgan tell men to support the women in their life they care about in the referendum on 25 May.
"It's time for men in Ireland to stand up and be counted for the women they care about." @ardalsfolly, @Glinner and Shane Horgan launch the 'It's Time' campaign for @AmnestyIreland #menforyes pic.twitter.com/pQIcshdghK
— JOE.ie (@JOEdotie) May 4, 2018
“In a spirit of, I suppose, chivalry, I’ve seen men say that this is a matter for women, and they intend to leave the vote to them,” said Graham Linehan.
“But if as a man, you respect the right of women and girls to have control over their bodies, their health and their lives, then it’s not enough to believe or even say it, you have to actively work to make it a reality. If you don’t vote, and this referendum doesn’t pass, you will have contributed to its defeat.
“Everyone’s vote will be critical in this referendum, whoever they are. So I am asking people to stand up and be counted. To stand with women and vote Yes.”
A recent Red C poll for the Sunday Business Post showed that men are less likely to vote this month than women.
The Men for Yes initiative want to encourage men to use their voice in an issue that affects both men and women according to Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland Colm O’Gorman.
“This is an issue that first and foremost affects women obviously. But the idea that this isn’t about men too is just not true,” O’Gorman said.
“How many of us have seen the women in our lives being forced to travel to the UK, or been made to feel ashamed and isolated, even afraid of being criminalised, because they are in a crisis pregnancy?
“If the Eighth Amendment isn’t repealed, all of this will remain the same. So now is the time for men to stand with women, and vote yes. Now is the time to vote for compassion, equality, dignity and respect.”
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