PARTTHREE:ARIGHTTOCHOICE

Alexepshtein

reproductive health laws have been "completely decimated" as funding has been funneled out of the reproductive health sector.

In the UK, the at-home abortion pill was legalized, permitting women the autonomy to have an abortion or terminate a pregnancy if necessary, without having to leave their homes. The pill was introduced as a response to rising domestic violence rates and an increase in financial instability which prevented families from having children during this time; the convenience of the at-home option kept women safe. However, not long after the pandemic, abortion past a certain gestational period was outlawed in most US states and the abortion pill was revoked just this past April. Women can no longer terminate pregnancies in most states without facing legal action. Their freedom to choose to have a child has been taken away.

While the number of abortions has not gone down, the number of unsafe abortions has dramatically increased. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in the US, gun violence has also increased, the education and fostercare systems have not been reformed, nor has public healthcare been introduced. So, while more children are being born, being put up for adoption, abandoned by families who do not have the financial stability to give a child the quality of life they need and deserve, the ownership once again falls upon the woman to not get pregnant.

As domestic violence and instances of rape and sexual assault are on the rise, these circumstances become increasingly difficult. In some states, there is a monetary reward for people who report women attempting to terminate pregnancies, even if they are suffering from abuse and/or it is the abuser doing the reporting. This system rewards the abuser and punishes the victim for becoming pregnant. While these are extreme cases, the tightening abortion laws in the US are reflective of the experience of many women around the world, like in Peru, where reproductive and women’s rights as a whole are extremely neglected.