A Plea to Protect Women’s Rights
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May 26, 2022
In a draft opinion written in early May by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court voted to strike down the landmark case Roe V. Wade.
In 1973, the Supreme Court decided in a 7-2 decision that the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment granted a right to privacy when it comes to reproductive healthcare, specifically, abortion. Following Roe V. Wade, it was illegal for states to impose abortion regulations within the first trimester of pregnancy.
If Roe V. Wade is struck down, states will be able to create their own regulations regarding abortions, which will disproportionately affect minority communities.
According to the Associated Press, in Mississippi women of color make up 44% of the population, but 80% of abortions are received by women of color. If abortions are banned, the number of colored women killed or injured in unsafe abortions will dramatically increase.
It is undeniable that banning abortions will not decrease the number of abortions. According to the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion rate in countries that ban abortions is 37 per 1,000 and the abortion rate in countries that do not ban abortions is 34 per 1,000.
Furthermore, according to the World Health Organization, 4.7-13.2% of maternal deaths are attributed to unsafe abortions. Providing safe, accessible abortions saves lives.
While in some states such as Vermont, abortion regulations are unlikely to change, it is predicted over 20 states will enact laws that will ban or restrict abortion.
The Roe V. Wade case is so significant to U.S. history that it is a required Supreme Court Case in AP Government classes such as mine. We need to do what we can in order to ensure that this crucial Supreme Court case will continue to be taught in classes and will serve as the precedent for America’s future.
All in all, it is important to support women during this uncertain time. Banning abortion is a step back in gender equality and an attack on bodily autonomy. Help keep away bans on female bodies through supporting abortion clinics and writing legislators.