Stay Informed! Women’s Issues on the Ballot This Year

This coming week proves to be a very significant time for us in the United States as we go down to the ballots to cast our vote for President of this country.

While there is a myriad of issues that are being discussed this election, I am choosing to use my small platform to highlight the topic of women’s rights specifically on the ballot this year.

It is no surprise that reproductive rights are on the line as well as healthcare access and furthering gender equality.

And while I’m not here to tell you how to vote, I do want to take the time to voice the concerns of myself and millions of other women in this country.

The State of Reproductive Rights in America

As you likely know, Roe vs. Wade was overturned in 2022, thereby revoking a critical piece of legislation that allowed women in this country an abortion as a federal right. This in spite of the majority of Americans’ support of the right.

Since then, numerous women have come forward with their stories of suffering from serious health complications and, in many cases, even death.

Not only does this restrict women from receiving life saving medical care, but these restrictions also dissuade health care professionals from providing additional services for fear of potential legal actions taken against them.

Lack of Healthcare Services as a Result

As a result, we can see that many doctors and professional service providers have chosen to leave states with high levels of restrictions to avoid potential prosecution. This only serves to harm women even further because they don’t have access to routine medical services that these professionals provide outside of termination.

There is also growing concern that contraceptives may be next on the chopping block. Contraceptives as a whole were not overturned with the result. However, some methods of contraception, including IUDs, can prevent a fertilized egg from implantation.

It is possible that some lawmakers would consider these abortive measures and move to ban these contraception methods. This can create a slippery slope for the kinds of legislation that could potentially be introduced if this right is not codified and protected.

Many lawmakers have little knowledge about women’s bodies and what our experiences throughout life and especially during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. There are all kinds of procedures that a woman may need to save her life that are not considered an “elective abortion”.

For the sake of simplicity I am defining “elective abortion” as an abortion done out of choice and not immediate medical risk.

What Can Be Considered an Abortion?

There are various complications that can occur during pregnancy, birth, and immediately postpartum that can require services described as “abortive” that are not an “elective” abortion.

When a fetus lacks a heartbeat, when there is still matter in the womb after miscarriage, or when a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, these all require procedures that are described as abortions. Lack of medical intervention can and will cause death in many of these cases.

Therefore, further restrictions can prevent service providers from giving their patients experiencing these complications lifesaving care. Several states also do not grant abortions in the case of rape and incest which creates concerns for not only women’s physical health but also their mental health.

We cannot overlook the fact that a number of these particular cases involve pregnant children, not just adults.

A Decrease in Women’s Rights Equals Creates an Increase in Women’s Poverty

Reproductive healthcare access including abortion has been associated with “improved physical health, financial security, aspirational plans and the ability to take care of existing and future children.” This information should not be discounted.

Forcing someone to carry an unwanted pregnancy can be traumatic in itself. Should that person go on to give birth, knowing they cannot care for a child financially or emotionally, it would be a cruelty to both the parent and the child.

Many people view birth as a punishment for the mother for her decisions but the same consideration is not always given to the father.

This view perpetuates the gender inequality gap as 80 percent of single-family homes are headed by women. The households tend to have multiple children living in them as well, affecting the health and wellbeing of the children in these homes.

My Final Thoughts and Encouragements

It is my opinion that these issues we are going to be faced with on the ballot are of particular concern for women in this country.

I fear for my daughter’s future, and I personally know several women who share my fears living in the South.

It is not my goal to promote fear but hope that we will be able to provide better circumstances for our children than we had, which I believe all parents share.

We are all aware that women have not always had the rights that we have today, and I have no intention of going backwards in that respect.

Therefore, I have added some resources to my website for women who are in need of healthcare and may live in a state or region with heavy restrictions. Knowing what options you have is so important and can make a real difference for someone.

(If you have suggestions for resources to add here, let me know!)

Become Your First Line of Defense

I also want to encourage us all to be aware.

If you know you don’t want to become pregnant, become knowledgeable about the forms of contraception, morning after pills, or even cycle tracking.
Always make sure you have your own form of protection, never rely on a partner.
Become your first line of defense and know what options you have.

Nothing is certain in this world, and I won’t try to imply that. But there are measures you can take in most circumstances to make sure you are in control and aware of the things going on with your body.

Women are the most resilient people on the planet, and we do not have to be a statistic. Stay informed, seek community and do what you can for other women in this country and this world.

Until next time.