”As women, we just have to keep in mind that our perspective on life, on every issue, is critical. And if we pull out, the only things left are the opinions of men… Conversations have to be diverse. They have to be complete with men, and women, and minorities, and people of different sexual orientations, and people who have been raised in urban environments and rural environments. Because all those different experiences need to be brought to bear on the critical issues that we’re facing. And when we, as women, pull our voices out – whether it’s because of frustration or fear or not wanting to be criticized – then we’re taking out a key component of the solution.” – Michelle Obama, Women’s Health Magazine
source: http://theleague.com/act-now-for-womens-reproductive-rights
As this frankenstorm week comes to an end, I have not only the hurricane’s destruction on my mind, but also next week’s presidential election. I’ve never talked politics on my blog before, but I feel it’s very relevant to discuss it during an election where health topics have been such central issues, especially for women.
No matter what your beliefs, I don’t think anyone can doubt that this election season has been intense. The United States is in a rather chaotic time, receding from a depression with economic uncertainties and unemployment worries, coming out of multiple wars and trying to combat terrorism. Besides the economy and job growth, I think the most hot button issue this year has been women’s health and reproductive freedoms. There has been a lot of attention surrounding abortion, fueled by extreme public statements from politicians, such as Indiana Republican Richard Mourdock’s declaring that pregnancy resulting from rape is something ”God intended” and Missouri Republican Todd Akin claiming that victims of ”legitimate rape” rarely get pregnant. The subject has always been an election-time debate in recent times, but this election seems to center more wholly around women’s reproductive rights, as Republican candidate Mitt Romney has pledged to defund Planned Parenthood if elected.
Source: http://www.examiner.com/article/reproductive-rights-of-women-still-an-issue
For anyone who is unaware, Planned Parenthood is not just where people get abortions. It provides basic health care and disease screenings for so many women in this country, and now its clinics across the nation are being threatened.
I read an article in Women’s Health recently that got me fired up over state laws that have already been passed. Arizona passed a law that gives employers the power to request that women being prescribed birth control provide proof that they’re using it for nonsexual reasons. New Hampshire passed a bill that gives employers the right to opt out of covering contraception in health insurance if they have a religious objection. The Washington state government has decided that pharmacists can’t be forced to dispense Plan B or other emergency contraception if they have a religious objection to it. The birth control pill being introduced into our society enabled women to control their reproductive destinies, resulting in positive social and economic gains. It seems to me that by limiting access to things like the pill and creating laws to deter women from taking care of their bodies and health, we’re going backwards when it comes to women’s rights. Quite frankly, it’s horrifying to me.
Source: http://www.progresswomen.com/page/8/?attachment_id=nzsycvppiqdgp via salon.com
The most important thing is that women do not fall silent on these issues or rush to judgement just because it wouldn’t be their personal decision. Perhaps you wouldn’t ever get an abortion, or take Plan B, or go to Planned Parenthood to get a damn mammogram for that matter, but it doesn’t mean that you should be unsupportive of any woman having the right to make choices that are right for their bodies and situations. It’s 2012, and there were a lot of female activists who fought for us women to have the freedoms we have today (but unfortunately in some instances, like the ones mentioned above, are shrinking away). Make sure to vote next Tuesday for the candidate that best aligns with your views, and make sure you consider your health a top priority in making that choice.
A few resources noted in the Women’s Health article that may be of interest:
”The battle for the individual rights of women is one of long standing and none of us should countenance anything which undermines it.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
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