Day 18: The Impact of Abortion Restrictions

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In 2021, the United States saw a drastic increase in abortion restrictions across the country. This new legislation and the draft opinion by SCOTUS leaked in May do not reflect the opinions of a vast majority of Americans. Despite varying views on what regulations and caveats should exist, a majority of Americans favor safe and legal access to abortion. 69% of Americans would like to see Roe v. Wade upheld. 

While religion is commonly used as a backing for abortion restrictions, the Public Religion Research Institute found nearly 70% of Black protestants support legal abortion in most or all cases. 

Access to abortion is also an issue of autonomy, impacting racial, gender, and economic justice. In several states, Black and Latino people make up a majority of those receiving abortion care, according to the CDC. Decisions to ban abortion made by majority white lawmakers take bodily autonomy away from Black and brown individuals. 

A 10-year study conducted of 1,000 women who either got an abortion, or wanted one but were denied revealed that “72% of those who were denied care ended up living in poverty.” 

When abortion is not legal and safe, pregnant individuals may seek alternatives. According to Amnesty International, “unsafe abortions are the third leading cause of maternal deaths worldwide.” A lack of legal access to abortion puts many Americans’ lives at risk through unsafe/unregulated abortions, abuse and trauma during pregnancy, as well as unsafe birthing conditions. The U.S. already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the developed world. 

Read the YWCA Spokane’s full statement on the Roe v. Wade SCOTUS draft opinion.

IF YOU HAVE…

5 Minutes	and	10 Minutes	and	15 Minutes
	and		and
WATCH THIS VIDEO to learn about the new abortion restrictions just signed into law in Idaho.	and	USE THIS TOOL created by Planned Parenthood to see where states currently stand on abortion access.	and	READ THIS ARTICLE to understand how Indigenous people are fighting to be heard about reproductive rights.

REFLECT

Take a moment to reflect today’s challenge and any insights you experienced.

• How did this challenge make you feel?
• What did you learn?
• What did you notice about yourself after taking the challenge?
• Consider sharing this new awareness with a friend or group to help deepen your understanding of the information.
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Let us know why this challenge is important to you by leaving your comment here.

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We ask that you undertake this challenge with an open mind and willingness to explore new ideas and allow yourself to sit with any emotions that may come up for you.

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