Women’s Perspectives on Reproductive Rights and Voting
Abortion is healthcare.
In the immediate aftermath of the overturning of Roe v Wade, many states have rushed to eliminate abortions by law, with the status of abortion rights changing daily. Is women’s chance of change through the mechanism of voting?
As increasingly women are losing control of their bodies, the issue present in many women’s minds is how to regain their control and in what ways that may be possible. In the political year of 2024 with the presidential election upcoming, do women have hope of regaining control over their healthcare rights through voting?
In June of 2022 the United States Supreme Court decided on the case of Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling that the Constitution of the United States did not provide a right to abortion and as such, states can freely ban abortions if it rationally related to legitimate government interests.
In a country where discriminatory obstacles to health care already exist for many people, the consequences of this decision are vast, including increased maternal mortality and morbidity, fear and confusion among healthcare providers and women nationwide, and restrictions on access to healthcare that places women’s lives and health at risk.
Abortion is Our Right
“The ability to decide when and whether to have a child is a fundamental right. No matter where we live, how much money we make, or who we are, we should all be able to control our own bodies, and make the best medical decisions for our lives and families.”
— ACLU (2024)
