Defending Reproductive Justice

More than ever, we need to hear the intergenerational and intersectional voices of those affected by abortion bans. June 24th marked one year since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Before the Dobbs decision, there were only two states that restricted abortion after 20 weeks: Oklahoma and Texas. Since the decision, at least 15 states have stopped nearly all abortion services. 

The connection between poverty and abortion bans is outstanding. Denying abortions can lead to life-changing events that keep or push women into poverty. Without access to safe and legal abortions, women who are already facing systemic inequalities and low socio-economic status will be disproportionately affected. 

Recently, we had the honor of interviewing Dr. Marci Bowers, an esteemed pelvic and gynecologic surgeon. She is acknowledged as a pioneer in the field of Gender Affirmation Surgery and is the first woman worldwide to hold a personal transgender history while performing transgender surgery. In her words: “[Abortion ban] disproportionately impacts, as it always does, latin, black and indigenous communities far greater than it will white communities. This is just a way to maintain institutionalized poverty because if you can take someone out of the educational force, if they're saddled with a pregnancy, they're probably never going to attain an educational status where they're going to be able to climb out of poverty.”

The erosion of reproductive rights drastically affects intergenerational poverty. Being forced to have a child doesn’t just affect women; this negative economic impact exposes more children to poverty. Children living in poverty often experience the same inequalities as their parents, are less likely to reach upward economic mobility, and are more likely to struggle in school or drop out. 

At 3 Generations, we are continuing to focus on the curtailing of established reproductive rights. Please visit our website and connect with us on social media @3_generations as we continue to bring you the voices, young and old, who will help shape the future of reproductive justice.

The understanding that recovery from the trauma of genocide and crimes against humanity is a multi-generational effort has always been the backbone of 3 Generations. Indeed, it is embedded in our name. As 3 Generations celebrates our 15th Anniversary this year, one of the ways we are deepening our focus on Intergenerational Activism is by continuing to defend reproductive justice and the right to choose. 

The devastating overturning of Roe v. Wade last summer and the ensuing threat to reproductive justice (and women’s health) will have its greatest impact on today’s youth. We began our work on this issue by listening to young women and to the generation of grandmothers and seniors who fought for the right to safe and legal abortion 50 years ago. 

We launched our intergenerational initiative via social media earlier this year, which we please encourage you to explore here. January 22nd is the 50th Anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, now overthrown. Youth activists, including Lily Joseph, present their voices alongside those of their grand-parents’ generation; our video is featuring Virgina Roosevelt. 

More than ever, we need to hear the voices of our youth. We are continuing to focus on the curtailing of established reproductive rights that disproportionately impacts the healthcare and wellbeing of Native and BIPOC youth. Please visit our website and connect with us on social media @3_generations as we continue to bring you the voices, young and old, who will help shape the future of reproductive justice.  

Links:

• January 22nd: The 50th Anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade