Shubhangi Karmakar is first-generation British from India, and moved to Ireland three years ago to study medicine in Trinity. However, the move turned out to be even more transformative than Karmakar expected.“Since then I have become highly involved in human rights advocacy,” she explains, “as well as design, social marketing and, above all, collaboration with other homegrown Irish talent. I only really came into my own in this country.”

During her research into medical training, Karmakar led a research team – “of a number of male colleagues, incidentally,” she remarks – looking into the Eighth Amendment and its damaging effect on healthcare.“During that time,” she recalls, “I had a number of pointed bits of advice from outsiders, to ‘tone down’ the zeal with which I approached advocating for the Eighth to be repealed in our oral presentation. It was something that did sincerely worry me, facing backlash for supporting something not currently free, safe and legal as a new immigrant, and visible woman of colour.

“However, on presentation day, I ended up being evaluated by, and later talking to, a professional who had counselled women to have underground or offshore abortions for several decades. I realised the position of privilege I have in being able to advocate for safer public healthcare for over 50% of taxpaying Irish citizens with uteruses, coming from a medical background. I’ve decided to commit myself to that ever since.”