War on Women Report: Anti-Abortion Group Tracks Planned Parenthood Visits; Texas Man Will Spend Five Months in Jail for Slipping Pregnant Wife Abortion Pill

U.S. patriarchal authoritarianism is on the rise, and democracy is on the decline. But day after day, we stay vigilant in our goals to dismantle patriarchy at every turn. The fight is far from over. We are watching, and we refuse to go back. This is the War on Women Report.

Since our last report: Modern surveillance tools pose an increasing threat to pregnant people and those helping them access care; a groundbreaking study proving the safety and effectiveness of telehealth abortion; in rare bipartisan move, Congress expanded the child tax credit for the next three years, lifting 400,000 children above the poverty line by 2025; rest in power, Nex Benedict; and more.

Alliance Defending Freedom Seeks to Persuade Arizona Supreme Court That Not All Life-Saving Abortions Are Emergencies

On Dec. 13, 2023, the Republican-appointed justices of the Arizona Supreme Court heard arguments in Planned Parenthood Arizona v. Mayes/Hazelrigg over whether an 1864 law banning abortion should take precedence over the state’s 2022 15-week gestational ban. A decision could come any day now.

Even in this bleak post-Roe environment, it is hard to comprehend how a law dating back to Arizona’s territorial days when it was believed that “[t]he paramount destiny and mission of woman are to fulfill the noble and benign offices of wife and mother” is deciding women’s reproductive rights. And a victory before the Arizona Supreme Court simply avoids having Arizona move into the group of states where abortion is completely banned—a distinction it would share with 14 other states.  

Our Abortion Stories: ‘There Were No Resources Available to Make Choosing to Be a Single Mom a Sane Choice’

Abortions are sought by a wide range of people for many different reasons. There is no single story. Telling stories of then and now shows how critical abortion has been and continues to be for women and girls. (Share your abortion story by emailing myabortionstory@msmagazine.com.)

“I made a decision that deeply challenged my ‘values,’ yet was absolutely the most ethical and moral choice I could make.”

“I realized that I wasn’t the only one going through this, even though abortion stigma can oftentimes make us feel that way. … Your abortion is not a taboo or a deep, dark secret; abortion is healthcare.”

Our Abortion Stories: ‘I Didn’t Have the Support I Needed to Be the Parent I Wanted to Be’

Last summer, the Supreme Court overturned the longstanding precedents of Roe v. Wade, representing the largest blow to women’s constitutional rights in history. A series from Ms., Our Abortion Stories chronicles readers’ experiences of abortion pre- and post-Roe. Abortions are sought by a wide range of people for many different reasons. There is no single story. (Share your abortion story by emailing myabortionstory@msmagazine.com.)

“I wanted that baby, but it wasn’t meant to be.”

“The law was forcing this decision for me. I cried because I knew I needed to get an abortion but didn’t know how.”

“My life is better because of my decision.”

In ‘Baseless’ Texas Lawsuit, Matthew Kacsmaryk Could Singlehandedly Shut Down Planned Parenthood

The state of Texas and an anonymous plaintiff associated with the anti-abortion group Center for Medical Progress alleges that Planned Parenthood engaged in fraud when they filed Medicaid reimbursement claims for healthcare services they provided to thousands of people in Texas and Louisiana. The plaintiffs are seeking up to $1.8 billion in civil penalties.

If anti-abortion judge Matthew Kacsmaryk rules in favor of the plaintiffs, Planned Parenthood could face bankruptcy, potentially depriving millions of people of basic healthcare, especially women, people with low incomes, young people, immigrants and people who face healthcare barriers due to race discrimination.

Our Abortion Stories: ‘I Had an Abortion … I Had Everything I Needed, Including a Choice’

Former state Senator Martha Hennessey details her abortion experience, inspired by the first person she ever told—Gloria Steinem.

” I fell into the small percentage of those who become pregnant while on the pill. … I did not have to go to Sweden. I did not have to tell my parents. I did not have to tell anyone my reasons, because it did not matter. … I cannot fully understand why I let anyone keep me from speaking openly about doing the right thing for myself and my family, including our seven granddaughters, but that changes today.”

Sexual Health Is Mental Health

As a youth sexuality educator, I have seen firsthand how comprehensive sex education that teaches young people healthy sexuality and communication, boundary setting, and consent is key to youth mental health and development.