The Irish writer, who is best known for her women's literature and who has sold over 22 million books, has brazenly tackled issues such as domestic violence, alcoholism and mental illness in the past, being unafraid to discuss the difficult issues faced by people in Irish society.

At the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) event “Realising women’s mental health rights – Celebrating International Women’s Day” today, Marian Keyes read an extract from her forthcoming book called The Break in which she highlights the impact of the 8th Amendment on women in Ireland. The event was held as part of the 7th World Congress on Women’s Mental Health which is currently taking place in the RDS in Dublin.

In her introduction, Marian Keyes said:

“When I was writing this, I was very conscious of the obstacles in place when a woman in Ireland has a crisis pregnancy. Unlike other countries, the woman can’t go to her GP or an expert in reproductive health. Instead, she herself has to search for information online and usually in secret. This unavailability and secrecy makes the process one of fear and toxic shame.”

In one of the extracts Marian Keyes read a short conversation between the character, Amy and an English friend of hers.

Extract from The Break:

“A young women in my care is having an abortion,” I say. “It’s the right thing for her. Are you pro-choice?”

He seems startled. “Of course.”

“You Brits.” I say. “You’re so lucky to be free of all that guilt and shame. But living in Ireland, it’s impossible to escape the shame. It hangs in the air.”

”You can’t really blame the air for the shame,” he says. “The shame is generated by the Irish law. Fourteen years in prison, for taking a pill? That’s quite a judgement.”