Take Action: Abortion is Healthcare

Our Reproductive Freedom Is Under Attack

We are horrified, angry, and appalled by the draft opinion on Roe vs. Wade. Our healthcare and reproductive rights are at stake and this is not the time to remain silent.

While we appreciate President Biden’s statement, there are a few issues that we would like to address:

• The phrases “a woman’s right to choose” and “women’s reproductive rights” are written throughout this statement. Does your administration not care about transgender and non-binary persons reproductive rights?

• Furthermore, the President’s statement fails to acknowledge the significant financial and systemic barriers that prevent already marginalized folks from receiving the care they need. What measures will be taken by the administration to ensure that abortion care among other essential reproductive healthcare services become truly accessible to all people? 

500 Women Scientists are calling on President Biden’s administration to take real actions that protect sexual and reproductive health access in light of attacks on abortion rights. In the meantime, we will keep on fighting for evidence-based policymaking, in direct opposition to policies based on ideological grounds.

THE FACTS:

1. Politico leaked a draft of the Supreme Court’s decision on May 2, 2022, its authenticity confirmed the following day. This draft is NOT an official court ruling and is NOT binding until released as a final opinion. Abortion is still legal!

2. If the Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, abortion will be illegal in thirteen states. It will NOT be illegal nationwide. It is up to our nation’s elected officials, at all levels of government, to protect this critical right. Thus, we need to elect officials who support abortion rights and access this November. Check out this interactive map to learn about your state’s laws and policies around reproductive freedom (Center for Reproductive Rights).

3. If Roe is overturned, let’s be clear about who will be hurt the most: people of color, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, young people, immigrants, those without health insurance, and people having difficulty making ends meet. Denying essential abortion care is especially hypocritical in a country that has one of the highest maternal mortality rates, that has no paid parental leave, no universal healthcare, no subsidized childcare, no continued birthcare among other essential services to birthing people and parents. 

4. Transgender & nonbinary persons get abortions and should be included in the conversation

5. One of the most comprehensive studies conducted to date, from University of California, San Francisco, shows that those who are denied an abortion—and thus forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy—experience lasting impacts to their health, well-being, and finances.

TAKE ACTION:

1. What can we do right now? Donate to abortion and/or reproductive justice organizations, contact your local elected officials, and share resources.

2. Do you own a business or work at one? Here’s a list of companies that have come out in favor of supporting staff to access safe abortion care if their home states pass abortion bans. Join them. 

500 WS x NARAL PRO-CHOICE AMERICA PARTNERSHIP

500 Women Scientists is collaborating with NARAL Pro-Choice America to call out scientific disinformation and communicate how the lack of access to informed reproductive care negatively affects public health, our families, and our lives. If you would like to add your voice to our Sign on Letter, click here.