10 organisations to support abortion rights in the US

On Friday, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade case that legalized the right to terminate a pregnancy at the federal level, a decision that is a defeat for American women and women around the world and sets the country back decades. What now seemed to be an established right, faded away thanks to the votes of six judges (three of whom were appointed by former President Donald Trump), depriving millions of women of the freedom to choose for their bodies and for themselves as before the 73rd ruling in half of the state abortion was a crime and, therefore, could not be performed under any circumstances; while in 10 states it was only legal if it constituted a danger to the woman, such as in cases of rape, incest or foetal malformations. Now, it is up to the individual states to decide, and at least 26 of them are expected to declare themselves against it, effectively forcing anyone living in one of them to carry an unwanted and risky pregnancy to term or, alternatively, to overcome enormous physical and bureaucratic barriers in order to have an abortion where it is legal. A few examples: last week in Louisiana, the state House Appropriations Committee advanced a bill that would turn abortion into murder, Alabama and Georgia have already passed fetal identity laws, and in 13 conservative states, including Wisconsin, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, and North Dakota, legislators are preparing a complete ban on abortions. 

Denying a practice that should be guaranteed by the primary health care system will have very serious consequences: it will lead to the proliferation of illegal abortions, which will seriously endanger the lives of millions of women, and it will widen the socio-economic gap between those women who can afford a trip to another state to have an abortion and those who are forced to go through a pregnancy. Moreover, as Jia Tolentino writes in an article for The New Yorker entitled We’re Not Going Back to the Time Before Roe. We’re Going Somewhere Worse will inevitably create an environment of suspicion and secrecy, where people will be forced to choose between receiving medical treatment and the possibility of going to prison:

"We have entered an era not of unsafe abortion but of widespread state surveillance and criminalization of pregnant women. In the states where abortion has been or will soon be banned, any pregnancy loss past an early cutoff can now potentially be investigated as a crime."

For many, the American dream, assuming the idea of a perfect country where human rights are protected and life is better still existed, has been permanently shattered, as the words shared on Twitter by First Lady Jill Biden make clear:

"For nearly 50 years, women have had the right to make our own decisions about our bodies. Today, that right was stolen from us. And while we may be devastated by this injustice, we will not be silent. We will not sit back as the progress we have already won slips away. Tomorrow, we will continue to fight -for our daughters and granddaughters, and for ourselves - until all women can decide our own futures once again."

The same mixture of despondency, terror and anger expressed by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet:

"The US Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization delivered today represents a major setback after five decades of protection for sexual and reproductive health and rights in the US through Roe v Wade. It is a huge blow to women’s human rights and gender equality. Access to safe, legal and effective abortion is firmly rooted in international human right law and is at the core of women and girls’ autonomy and ability to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, free of discrimination, violence and coercion. This decision strips such autonomy from millions of women in the US, in particular those with low incomes and those belonging to racial and ethnic minorities, to the detriment of their fundamental rights."

What has just happened in the States should make us reflect on the fact that every right we take for granted today could one day disappear on a purely political whim. This is why it is good to always be vigilant, to make our opinion heard by supporting initiatives such as the @liberadiabortire fundraiser and American organizations fighting for the right to abortion.

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood not only provides access to abortion, but also to everything related to sexual and reproductive health such as STD screening, affordable access to contraception and sex education, counseling, services for the LGBTIQA+ community, and more at various locations across the USA.

National Network of Abortion Funds

This organization is a network of over 80 funds spread across the United States, local grassroots organizations that remove financial and logistical barriers (such as transportation and housing) that prevent people from having abortions. In addition, information about the different laws in each state and what an abortion entails can be found on the website.

 National Women's Law Centre

In its 50 years of operation, the National Women's Law Centre has contributed to important legal and political victories for women. It has always defended reproductive rights, advising on the law in defense of women, clarifying media misinformation, collecting data and providing up-to-date legal information on abortion.

National Black Women's Reproductive Agenda

Black women will be the most affected by anti-abortion laws. The National Black Women's Reproductive Agenda fights for the reproductive rights of black women and, in collaboration with eight statewide black women's reproductive justice organizations, works to ensure that all people have access to abortion care, contraception and comprehensive sex education.

Repro Legal Defense Fund

Repro Legal Defense Fund is a collective of legal experts and advocates that funds bail and defences for people investigated, arrested or prosecuted for procured abortion. Including pregnant persons and their caregivers.

Libera di Abortire

LAIGA 194

IVG STO BENISSIMO

Associazione Luca Coscioni

Obiezione Respinta