The most high-profile of these women are the victims of a brutal childbirth operation carried out in Ireland between 1942 and 1990. Often without their consent, more than 1,500 women were subjected to symphysiotomy, a procedure which involves breaking the pelvis by severing the pelvic joints, making more space for a baby to be born. Others had their pubic bone sawn through. Around 200 of these women are still alive and many have been disabled, unable to walk, incontinent and in pain since their ordeal.