The War on Reproductive Rights

Forty years ago Roe v. Wade gave women the right to choose when it came to their ability to have an abortion. While the moral debate went on, and indeed intensified, it remained law that women had control over their bodies. Unfortunately, current events in some states have proven that although Roe v. Wade is still law, it is possible to regulate clinics so harshly that they are forced to close their doors, leaving women around the country without the care they need and want.

The debate looks like a moral issue on the outside and anti-choice advocates claim abortion is murdering innocent lives and hurting women. While many anti-choice people may believe this is the goal of these strict laws, pro-choice women see the matter in a different light.

Pro-choice representatives claim that the fight against abortion rights has nothing to do with protecting women’s health, but to shut down women’s clinics and control what women can do with their bodies. When the option of abortion is taken off the table, many women would quickly find themselves in poverty with an unplanned child or may lose their life in the process. But, if women are forced to carry children to term, more workers will be created and are women will be more easily controlled, bound as they are to the domestic duties of parenthood. And many who argue abortion is an abomination against god also believe contraception is wrong, pushing these two ideas which walk hand in hand to force their choices on others.

Recent events in Ohio are a great example of the stranglehold placed on clinics. The Buckeye State has drawn news attention recently for a handful of experimental laws which test how far they can push constitutional lines when restricting women’s access to safe abortions. From mandating waiting periods before an abortion, to forcing an already distressed women to get an ultrasound, even encouraging them look at the heartbeat of the fetus, Ohio is making it almost impossible for clinics to keep their doors open to women in need.

In Texas, mass protests occurred earlier this year when the state attempted to pass legislation that would restrict abortion rights and close down most of the state’s Women’s clinics. But a successful filibuster by Wendy Davis, commonly known as the People’s Filibuster, slowed the passing of the anti-abortion bill and put Davis and her pink running shoes in the national spotlight. Davis spoke for eleven hours, successfully filibustering the bill, but Governor Rick Perry quickly reintroduced it and even went so far as to say it was “unfortunate” that Davis “hadn’t learned from her own example.” The bill was shoved through the senate as quickly as possible to make sure it was not blocked.

Close on the heels of the Texas debacle, North Carolina passed restrictions on abortion rights by attaching a rider to a motorcycle safety bill, claiming it would keep women safe. This was of course passed without a public hearing. This new bill stipulates that women who go for coverage under the Affordable Care Act would not receive abortion coverage.

An interesting story that has come up recently is that of a foster teen in Nebraska who was refused the option of an abortion, because she was not mature enough to make that decision. Although she is not mature enough to get an abortion, the state has decided she is mature enough to raise her child, or go through the emotional turmoil of carrying the fetus to term and then giving it up for adoption. This is far from protecting this young women, it is forcing her to do something against her will. At least there will always be this option.

These, along with other state’s restrictions, has started a mass protest against sweeping anti-choice laws. Following the People’s Filibuster, many actions across the country have started to take place. There was a month-long abortions rights freedom ride this summer, which crossed the country in an attempt to spread awareness and understanding on the issue of women’s rights and to gather support. Lawsuits are also being brought against some of these laws, such as one brought by abortion clinics and women’s rights organizations against the Texas law.

Dr. George Tiller’s clinic reopened this year, once again giving women in Wichita, Kansas services they have not had in four years. This is because four years ago Dr. Tiller became a stark example of anti-choice harassment and intimidation tactics when he was murdered in his church. While this murder was condemned by the overall anti-choice movement, violence is common and widespread. In America alone there have been 8 murders of abortion providers and their employees. Apparently, “pro-life” only applies to the unborn fetus.

Luckily, not all states are aggressively attacking women’s rights. In California this month, Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that expands early abortion access for women throughout the state.

With women and men alike standing up against reproductive restrictions, the rights of women have proven more durable than their opponents would like. And films like “After Tiller” which show doctors as human can make people understand the urgency and necessity of stopping these anti-choice, anti-women laws from spreading and expanding. As the debate rages onward, the ability of women to make their own decisions concerning what to do with their bodies remains anything but certain.

First published in The Leaf Online here: Guest Op-Ed: the war on reproductive rights