How Can We Engage?
The Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade a month ago, putting an end to the constitutional right to abortion that had existed for almost 50 years. Associate Justice Samuel Alito stated in an opinion reflecting the 5-4 majority that Roe “was egregiously incorrect from the outset” and had “enflamed discussion and entrenched division.” A draft of the ruling had been leaked two months ago. 13 states already have “trigger bans” in place to restrict abortion as soon as Roe was overruled, and nearly half of states are anticipated to impose all but complete bans on abortion. Due to the court’s decision, women will now have to travel hundreds of kilometers to a clinic in order to get reproductive care. The hardest hit will be those who are already struggling, specifically those who are low-income and who are women of color.
But, there are some ways to take actions.
The ability to access abortion care will primarily depend on a person’s location. Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming are the 13 states that have experienced bans the fastest. Donate to Planned Parenthood, which offers reproductive healthcare and sex education across the nation.
Beyond abortions, reproductive justice organizations acknowledge that the right to bodily autonomy also includes access to sex education, pregnancy care, and contraception.
The nation’s oldest national pro-abortion advocacy organization, NARAL works to increase access to abortion and contraception, promote parental leave, and end pregnancy-related discrimination. Fact sheets, details regarding congressional voting records, and an analysis of state laws are all available on the organization’s website https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/media/reports-fact-sheets/
Encourage your local government to pass legislation to safeguard women’s rights to contraception.
All of us must fight for and protect our rights! Involving your community in these issues is never too late.
