Reproductive Rights Threatened by the Supreme Court

If the Supreme Court votes to overturn Roe v. Wade, women across the country will lose access to critical healthcare options such as abortion and access to birth control. Roe v. Wade currently legalizes abortion, birth control, and reproductive rights on a federal level. If the bill is overturned, individual states will be able to decide for themselves whether or not to legalize abortion. It is predicted that 26 U.S. states will criminalize the procedure, making women who get abortions felons, who could serve up to 20 years in prison and lose their right to vote. People are, rightfully, outraged: The thought that the Supreme Court is able to take away our bodily autonomy and the right to choose is ridiculous. Someone without a uterus should not be able to determine what uterus owners are allowed to do with their bodies. The current Supreme Court comprises six male justices and just three female justices. A primarily male-identifying group of people should not have the right to decide what people who have uteruses can and cannot do with their body regarding reproductive health.

The lack of bodily autonomy for American women is sickening. What about women who are raped? They did not choose to get pregnant. Or teenagers? Are they supposed to give up their life plans to raise a child? Or women who suffer from ectopic pregnancies, who could die without an abortion? Is the life of a fetus really worth more than the life of a woman? These are certainly not the only people who deserve the right to have an abortion. All women, regardless of their age, race, sexual orientation, financial situation, or whether or not they were actively using methods to prevent pregnancy, deserve the right to make the choice that is best fit for them. Those who advocate for legal abortions only in cases of rape are arguing that women should only have the right to make a decision about their body after it has been violated. Abortion is healthcare. Women’s rights are human rights. Saying someone isn’t allowed to get an abortion is the same as not allowing someone to choose to see their doctor. Is the life of a fetus really worth more than the life of a woman?

In response, people across the country and the world are joining together to protest and offer their help. There have been countless marches and protests, where both adults and children have come together to advocate for women’s reproductive rights. People in states or countries where abortions will remain legal have opened their homes, and volunteered to transport women to clinics and house them while they recover. Reproductive rights are human rights, and they will not be taken away without a fight. People will always find a way to come together and fight for what they believe in, no matter what obstacles they may face. While emotions are still festering, the fact that so many people have joined together to take on this issue helps to foster some hope.