More Than A Magazine, A Movement
The Supreme Court says it is time to “return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” But state legislatures are overwhelmingly white and male: Women hold just 31 percent of statehouse seats, and only 9 percent are women of color. Rates of women’s representation are much lower in states that will ban abortion if and when Roe is overturned.
Luckily, we know how to transform the demographics of U.S. law-making bodies. We just need the political will.
The U.S. legal and political tradition has a long history of failing to recognize women’s claims to autonomy as individuals possessing citizenship rights equal to those of men. Now, reproductive rights are in grave danger—but the ERA could change things.
Over the last decade alone, abortion clinics have been closing at an alarming rate. Six states have only one brick-and-mortar abortion clinic left. Four of these are small, independent clinics helping patients access critical abortion care.
Nineteen years ago on March 10, 1993, Dr. David Gunn, a physician who dedicated his life to providing abortion services in rural communities, was murdered by a white supremacist anti-abortion extremist. On the anniversary of his death, we celebrate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day as a way to honor his life and recognize all the courageous, compassionate people who, despite the growing obstacles, provide abortion care every day.
You have likely heard people across America debate abortion laws—but have you heard the viewpoint of a 16-year-old facing a potential future without the protections of Roe v. Wade?
In her home state of Texas, Haley Reyes’s reproductive rights have come under attack by lawmakers she had no part in electing to represent her and her body. Determined to have a voice in her community and confident in her right to be heard, Reyes continues to be a proud feminist and stand up for the rights of all to proper reproductive healthcare.
Saturday, Jan. 22, marked Roe v. Wade’s 49th anniversary—and it very well may be its last.
On Friday, Jan. 21, experts on democracy and elections from the Brennan Center and Ms. discussed the implications of the Texas abortion law S.B. 8 and the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case that directly challenges the precedent of Roe.
Sponsored by Ms. and the Gender and Policy Center at George Mason University’s Schar School, the rousing discussion set the stage for how the U.S. got to this point, and outlined where we go from here.
Despite Roe v. Wade legalizing abortion at the federal level, the restrictions enacted in the states—from requiring (and denying) admitting privileges for doctors; constraints in insurance coverage; mandatory waiting periods; erroneous restrictions on clinics forcing them to close their doors and more—is where the power over reproductive rights has long resided.
openDemocracy’s “Tracking the Backlash” uncovers the organized opposition to sexual and reproductive rights including from religious right, far-right and other ‘anti-gender’ movements—in lockstep with the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence.
“Our 15 feminist investigative journalists produce ambitious, cross-border journalism and impactful storytelling that challenge sexism, homophobia and racism worldwide—and in the media,” said Tatev Hovhannisyan, editor Europe and Eurasia on openDemocracy’s “Tracking the Backlash” project.
Built in 1877, Massachusetts Correctional Institution Framingham (MCI–Framingham) is one of the oldest women’s prisons still in operation in the United States.
What protections exist for those rendered essentially rightless by the state? What happens to women, their bodies and their communities when we incarcerate them?
On Saturday, Oct. 2, tens of thousands of protesters gathered, rallied and marched to express their support for Roe v. Wade and their opposition to a recent onslaught of abortion restrictions.
From Texas to New Jersey to California to D.C., here are some of our favorite signs, marches and protesters who showed up in 650 locations in all 50 states. They paint the picture of a multi-generational, diverse coalition that is dissatisfied with current anti-abortion lawmakers; anxious to codify Roe v. Wade into federal law; and fired up for next year’s midterm elections.
“Keep your state-sanctioned power-consuming laws off our Black, Brown, Indigenous bodies.”
Civil rights and women’s rights groups gathered outside the Supreme Court for a Black Women Leaders & Allies Call to Action in support of voting rights and reproductive justice.
