PHM-Exch> Abortion rights: Roe vs Wade at risk in the USA

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Sarojini N <sarojini_n at phmovement.org>

I would like to draw your attention to the recent abortion debate in the US
that has shaken the women’s rights movements and their struggle for sexual
and reproductive health rights, particularly access to  safe and legal
abortion.

A leaked Supreme Court draft ruling, published by Politico, is poised to
strike down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade judgement that guaranteed
abortion rights to women for decades. It provided women with an absolute
abortion right in the first three months and limited rights in the second
trimester. It ruled that the constitution of the US protects pregnant
women’s liberty to choose to have an abortion without excessive government
restrictions.

Stringent anti-abortion legal reforms have been seen in Oklahoma, Texas,
Kentucky and others. Many republican states enact “heartbeat” abortion bans
that prohibit abortions once fetal heartbeat is detected i.e. six weeks,
when women are generally unaware of pregnancy, with no exemptions for rape
or incest.

Striking down Roe's judgement will have a detrimental impact, globally, on
women and young girls sexual and reproductive health and rights. With
this millions
of women and young girls particularly the marginalized, racialized, poor,
immigrant women will lose access to safe and legal abortions.

As we are aware, abortion continues to be criminalized in many countries
feminists are fighting against extreme anti-abortion policies for many
decades. There is a global movement of feminists demanding for safe and
legal abortion services. The legalization of abortion in Argentina, Mexico
and Colombia, is an inspiring illustration of the long struggle and victory
of feminists and health activists in Latin America. With that inspiration
we join other feminist movements, abortion rights groups, SRH networks,
health movements to demand for safe, legal, affordable and quality
abortions services for All.

Roe v Wade has been instrumental in influencing several courts across the
world on the aspects of individual rights and freedoms. Any attempt to
strike down this jurisprudence has the potential to shake up the successes
in recognition of individual rights be it bodily autonomy, privacy or
reproductive rights.

(on behalf of PHM's Gender Justice and Health Thematic Group)
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