The struggle for reproductive justice has been at the forefront of much activism recently – especially in the year after the U.S. Supreme Court decision restricted abortion rights in America. Yet this struggle is not a new one.
Illustration by Liberal Jane.
It is crucial to view abortion within the framework of social justice, recognising that it is intricately tied to the liberation and autonomy of our bodies and territories. This understanding recognises that abortion justice is part of decolonisation, which acknowledges the historical control, oppression, and exploitation that our bodies and territories have endured as a result of colonisation and imperialism that built racist, ableist, patriarchal and anti-queer systems.
As Marevic Parcon expands: ‘The opposition to abortion rights is rooted in an anti-rights, anti-gender agenda based on patriarchy and misogyny. The same groups that oppose the fulfilment of people’s rights and freedoms are often at the forefront of supporting regulatory measures against sexual and reproductive health and bodily autonomy. These groups can be observed within the halls of the United Nations, using human rights language to distort data and manipulate narratives regarding abortion rights. The direct consequence of the regression in the United States is the empowerment of the opposition, as the ideological shift has provided them with a justification to oppose abortion rights. Furthermore, they are also leveraging this to intensify their opposition to sexual and reproductive health and rights. This includes efforts such as the criminalisation of same-sex sexual conduct, implementation of anti-trans policies, and hindering comprehensive sexual education (CSE).’
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