Abortion Access for All

In our last report, we celebrated the decriminalization of abortion in Columbia with you. Shortly after that, we mourned the loss of basic reproductive freedoms in the U.S. With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, millions of Americans lost fundamental rights to health care, to bodily autonomy, and to freedom. Ipas condemned this decision and vowed to continue to advocate for access to safe, legal abortion everywhere because we believe everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should be able to determine their own future.

We know from our work around the world that criminalizing abortion does not stop abortions. But they do become harder to get, especially for Black, indigenous, and people of color, as well as those struggling to make ends meet. Women face greater economic struggles, and their children have fewer resources. Women, pregnant people, and providers will go to jail. Many people will be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term. Everyone will have less freedom.

We also know that what happens in the U.S. often has ripple effects globally. In Africa, the movement for women’s rights has been gaining ground. The U.S. telling the world that abortion access is not a human right undermines this important progress. In July, the Kenyan government launched a 10-year national plan for reproductive health care that fails to address the need to expand abortion access, a clear indicator of the weight U.S policies carry in Kenya and around the world. We know that abortion opponents here will push even harder now to restrict people’s access, even though abortion is legal in Kenya under some circumstances.

Although we are discouraged by the fall of Roe, we are no less committed to fighting to expand rights and access globally. Ipas has worked for years with a diverse coalition of global reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations to advance the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which was introduced to the U.S. Senate this summer by Senator Cory Booker. This is the first-ever proposed legislation to repeal the Helms Amendment, a 50-year-old policy that restricts the use of U.S. foreign assistance funds for abortion. The Helms Amendment denies millions of women access to abortion, even in countries where they have a legal right to this essential health care. As Senator Cory Booker said in a press release announcing the proposed law, “we must take immediate action to mitigate the global impact of Roe’s overturn.” This legislation can do exactly that.

We’re proud to be part of this historic moment, and to continue the fight to expand abortion access with our partners around the world. We’re so grateful you’re with us.

Links:

• It's Time to End the Helms Amendment
• The US is Dangerously Out of Step on Abortion Access
• Reducing the harm of U.S. foreign policies