A draft was leaked of a United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) opinion. It revealed the intention of overturning Roe v. Wade. It refers to 1973’s landmark decision that gives women the constitutional right to abortion. Once again, abortion rights have become a global agenda.
Actors of Grey’s Anatomy launched a self-made PSA regarding reproductive rights ahead of Roe v. Wade‘s likely reversal. The stars included Ellen Pompeo, Kevin McKidd, Chandra Wilson, Kelly McCreary, Kim Raver, Kate Burton, and Caterina Scorsone. All of them stated that women should be armed with knowledge the SCOTUS decision draws near.
According to Pompeo:
“Knowledge is power. It’s time for you to be in the know. Remember, you can get pregnant the first time you have sex. You can get pregnant if you don’t consent.”
Shonda Rhimes showed support to her actors and appreciated their efforts on Twitter:
So grateful to have actors that care so much about sharing positive reproductive information during this time. And special thanks to @Bedsider for providing follow up help and information! #knowyouroptions pic.twitter.com/vqf8DNoGaV
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) May 19, 2022
The intention of the PSA is to direct people to the Bedsider Birth Control Support Network. It is an organization that makes it possible for women between the ages of 18 and 29 to get birth control.
“Get on birth control, now,” Wilson said.
“Any form that is reliable,” Pompeo added.
Pompeo and her co-stars urged women to get pregnancy tests and recommended they use them every four to five weeks.
Wilson stressed:
“Every four to five weeks may seem like a lot, but time is of the essence with the law.”
McKidd stated:
“If you find out you are pregnant and do not want to be, you have very little time. This is a terrible time and everyone is afraid.”
Pompeo wants women to know that:
“Options keep a woman powerful. You are powerful.”
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, shared a post on her Instagram:
View this post on Instagram
A number of celebrities have condemned the leaked draft of the Supreme Court’s majority voting in favor of getting rid of Roe v. Wade. Over 150 entertainers, musicians, and influencers, including Miley Cyrus, Ariana Grande, Kendall Jenner, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, and Selena Gomez participated in Planned Parenthood’s #BansOffOurBodies campaign. A full-page advertisement was run by the organization in 13th May’s edition of The New York Times.
“The Supreme Court is planning to overturn Roe v. Wade, taking away the constitutional right to abortion,” it began. “Our power to plan our own futures and control our own bodies depends on our ability to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. We are Artists. Creators. Storytellers. We are the new generation stepping into our power. Now we are being robbed of our power. WE WILL NOT GO BACK — AND WE WILL NOT BACK DOWN.”
World Health Organization says about 73 million induced abortions take place every year globally. The estimations from 2010 to 2014 alone prove that 45 percent of the induced abortions are unsafe, and developing countries simply cannot bear the burden of 97 percent of unsafe abortions.
The highest risk of dying from an unsafe abortion is in Africa, where Roe v. Wade has had a history of being used as a weapon for people who fight to liberalize abortion laws and make the process safe for women and girls alike. Even if it is not mentioned by name.
Tunisia, which only allowed access to safe abortion for the sake of population control, liberalized the law nine months after the Roe v. Wade ruling. They allowed women to receive the service whenever they need.
Furthermore, in 1986 Cape Verde also allowed for abortion on request as long as the 12-week gestation period hadn’t passed. It also aligns with Roe v. Wade’s conditions.
Once the women’s right to abortion was taken into account at the federal level in the US, other countries were also encouraged to liberalize their abortion laws. There has been significant progress toward making abortion rights secure for African women. Although Roe v. Wade was implemented half a century ago, the struggle continues to this day.
In 2019, 630k legal abortions were reported in the USA. The abortion rate in the country has been 19.5 (per thousand women). Furthermore, the age group which stood out was 20-24 years (Source: Statista.com). Although the abortion rate has declined as of late.
Nearly 89% of U.S counties do not have a clinic facility which provides abortion care (Source: Guttmacher.org). It is said despite abortion being legal in the country, services are not readily accessible. Thus, making it difficult for pregnant women and girls. Specifically when they’re held back due to a lack of providers and insufficient funding.
Moreover, the abortion laws and restrictions differ by state. For instance, Texas (Source: PlannedParenthoodAction.org) follows strict abortion restrictions; a 6-week abortion ban, insurance restrictions, parental involvement required and whatnot. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it’ll be banned from getting abortions in Texas altogether. Billie Eilish also condemned the Texas abortion laws in an Austin City limits music festival last year.
Similar practices will be followed in other states if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
