Life After Roe v. Wade
After multiple recessions, pandemic, terrorist attacks, gun violence and low wages, there was apparently still more in store for the women of America. On June 24, 2022, for the first time, the SCOTUS repealed a law to curtail rights, rather than granting or protecting rights. And with this decision, they overturned the right to privacy it was based on.
In the words of a reddit user, “Laws that outlaw abortion are unjust laws that seek to render women second class citizens.”
Flip Side of Forcible Abortions
Women all over country have expressed their anguish.
A Reddit User says: “This is in stark contrast to previous abortion law where women used to be coerced to abort. The right to have an abortion is the flip side of the same coin as the right to be free from forcible abortions by the government. Roe vs Wade represented the right to bodily autonomy in all respects.”
“They could have settled for advocating for policies to help women and families have the children they want. They could have been making arguments to support their moral position. Instead, the wanted to give the government the power to control fertility.”
Panicked Women Looking for a Resort
Women all over the country are panicked and looking for advice online on how to manage an unwanted pregnancy under the current abortion laws.
This will likely prompt a lot of women to travel to whatever states that will allow for abortions to have the afore mentioned procedure. Things are going to be tough for people who get unwanted pregnancies. In red states. But the flipside to this is that most people needing abortions won’t be physically fit to travel or move.
Women are receiving extreme advice such as:
- Get abortion pills from plancpills.org or aidaccess.org (can get before you’re pregnant)
- Make an exit plan (if living in unsafe state) for when things deteriorate, and they will deteriorate
- Carry pepper spray to avoid a forced pregnancy.
- Delete period tracking apps from their phones
CNBC has outlined ways in which tech companies and users can protect private data.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/149pPS2LoB2WWQL3lOkPbh-wiXW8D3uqhLbQ_AzWfqwE/htmlview
Women Supporting Women
Each time a woman stands up for herself, without knowing it possibly, without claiming it, she stands up for all women. – Thomas Jefferson
Women all over USA have joined hands in supporting each other during these times. People are being encouraged to donate and help fund abortion access for people in need. Some of the courses of action being discussed are:
Join a protest in your area – find out where at map.wewontgoback.com/?source=cp4rj
Give to support independent abortion providers through keepourclinics.org, and funds thatcover the costs of abortions, out of state travel, child care, and more through the National Network of Abortion Funds.
Talk with people in your life about abortion and why you fight for abortion access with #WhateverTheReason
Share resources like AbortionFinder, a directory of trusted (and verified) abortion service providers and M+A Hotline, a confidential, private and secure phone and text line, with people in need of abortion care and support.
https://apiaryps.org/pso-list – This is a state by state list that has resources for how you can find help and offer support for people in need of abortions.
What’s next?
With the Roe v Wade verdict overturned, people are worried about what could be next. Gay marriage? Contraception? Another fear troubling women is whether the government has power to ban abortions in states that allow it? Only time will tell us. Nature.com warns of what else could be in store.
The best possible things women can do, going forward, is to vote on everything. Talk to your legislators about what you want. The more voices heard the better.
Resources for people seeking access to healthcare
If you need help getting an abortion go to these sites
If you want to give money to some pro-choice charities, try here: