NPEIV REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM STATEMENT
The United States is on the verge of denying a person's right to control their own body. There is a war being waged against women by politicians and the United States Supreme Court. The latest volley came this week from the United States Supreme Court when a majority opinion was leaked that will in essence overturn Roe v Wade that codified a person’s right to privacy and has been the law of the land for over 50 years. This is the latest in years of dismantling access to not only abortion but also birth control throughout the country. This is potentially a slippery slope where many other rights are at risk such as the right to contraception, the right to gay marriage, the decriminalization of gay sex, and the protection of transgender individuals, etc.
We know this has nothing to do with women’s health, and everything to do with the power politicians and extremist groups want to hold over women’s lives, their future, and their bodily autonomy. Every person has the right to their own bodily autonomy. Reproductive care, which includes abortion, is part of women’s health care that should be easily accessible to ALL women.
This assault is occurring even though close to 70% of people in the United States support the federal right to reproductive choice. The overwhelming majority of Americans believe abortion is a decision made between a pregnant person and their physician. [1] This ruling is being made by a minority of religious zealots. This is not democracy.
In addition, reproductive coercion is a tactic used by perpetrators of intimate partner violence to keep victims in abusive and dangerous relationships and to exert power and control of every aspect of their lives, including their own bodies. It may take the form of birth control sabotage, pregnancy coercion, or controlling the outcome of a pregnancy. It is estimated that reproductive coercion affects 1 in 10 women. [2]
It is critical that we not succumb to our frustration and instead use our anger to fuel action to fight back and protect reproductive freedom. This can take many forms. One might be to run for office. Another would be to support and campaign for pro-choice candidates and incumbents in upcoming elections. It is critical to support candidates and legislators who will protect the right to abortion care. We need elected officials to stand up for a woman’s right to choose.
Another action is to support access to safe medical interventions like Plan C, an abortion performed by using medication. You can also support the Women’s Health Protection Act that has been introduced in the United States Senate and would codify into Federal law the right to reproductive freedom. It is unacceptable to leave it up to each State to pass laws about abortion and reproductive health issues.
It is up to us to protect reproductive freedom for all girls and women who come after us. We stand on the shoulders of our mothers and grandmothers who marched and fought against oppression of women 50 years ago to pass Roe v Wade. We can’t abandon the fight now just because it is hard. We need to step up and keep showing up!