Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jun 1, 2018 / 15:26 pm
After Ireland voted to legalize abortion in a referendum last week, efforts have increased to legalize the procedure in Northern Ireland as well.
On May 25, the people of Ireland voted to overturn the country's 8th amendment, which recognized the equal right to life for the unborn child and the pregnant mother. As a result, abortion had been banned in the nation except when the mother's health is deemed to be in danger.
Just over 33 percent of the predominately Catholic country voted to keep the amendment, while more than 66 percent voted to repeal it.
However, abortion is still prohibited in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK, unless a woman's life or long-term health is at risk.