Responding to the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe Vs. Wade, Sarah Shaw, MSI Reproductive Choices’ Global Head of Advocacy, said:
“We utterly condemn the US Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade and end the constitutional right to abortion care. The dismantling of Roe v Wade will provide an opening for the reversal of abortion rights at state level, causing unspeakable harm and threatening decades of progress on gender equality.
“This decision goes against US public opinion and violates the dignity, autonomy and human rights of millions of women across America. Furthermore, it puts healthcare workers at risk of imprisonment for providing essential healthcare.
“Over half of all US states are expected to restrict abortion. Without the resources to pay for travel, childcare and time off work, many could be forced to continue their pregnancies against their will or be left with no option but to break the law. What’s more, every pregnancy that ends in miscarriage has the potential to be treated with suspicion. Restrictive laws don’t reduce abortion, they only make them less safe, and it is the poorest and most marginalised communities that bear the brunt.
“As a global abortion provider, we know that the impact of this decision will also be felt around the world. From the Global Gag Rule to US funded anti-choice groups who harass women outside our clinics and lobby governments to restrict access; decisions made in the US have an impact far beyond their borders.
“But while this vote may embolden the anti-choice movement around the world, it has also motivated the global community to reassert the right to choose. To anyone who wants to deny someone’s right to make decisions about what is right for their body and their future, our message is ‘We are not going back’. We will never stop working towards a world where everyone, everywhere has the right to choose, and this attack only strengthens our resolve.”
Banchiamlack Dessalegn, MSI Reproductive Choices’ Africa Director said:
“As an Ethiopian American I watch in disbelief at the actions being taken by the US Supreme Court. Today’s decision has the potential to harm women, not just in America but around the world, and undermine the efforts of countries across Africa to recognise a woman’s right to choose.
“I am so proud of the steps the government in Ethiopia has taken to expand access to abortion over the last two decades; action that has saved countless lives and empowered women to take control of their futures. Both here and across Africa, US-linked groups have been trying for years to roll back this progress, with well-funded misinformation campaigns and by lobbying governments to restrict access. But we vow to protect choice. We are not going back.”
Araceli Lopez Nava, Latin America Regional Managing Director for MSI Reproductive Choices said:
“It has been a long fight for our right to choose, but just as my home country of Mexico celebrates a turning point in abortion rights, it is devastating to see our neighbours in the US take a huge step backwards.
“When the U.S. Supreme Court first legalised abortion in 1973, the country was one of the leaders on reproductive rights. Today, it is moving against the ‘Green Wave’ sweeping Latin America, and the once unthinkable prospect of US women crossing the border to access safe, legal reproductive healthcare in Mexico, could soon become a reality.
“We stand ready to support. Women have always sought out abortions, and they will continue to do so, whether they are legal or not. What changes is that women suffer. Forced to resort to desperate measures, they are injured, jailed, tens of thousands even die.
“Since abortion was legalised in Mexico City in 2007, there have been zero abortion-related deaths and an 80% reduction in emergency cases. Abortion is healthcare and we will continue to fight for access to safe, legal care everywhere.”
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About MSI Reproductive Choices
MSI Reproductive Choices is one of the world’s leading providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare. We believe that everyone should have the right to choose. From contraception to safe abortion and life-saving post-abortion care, we are committed to delivering compassionate, affordable, high-quality services for all. Our organisation has over 9,000 team members working across 37 countries, supporting over 67,000 people to access reproductive choice every day.
Find out more about the potential impact of Roe v Wade and how we can protect choice globally.
