Roe v Wade – How Can You Help?
Belles and Gals have always been a website that has supported females in country music. At a time when political and legal decisions are having potentially devastating effects on women’s lives, that support is naturally extended much wider than to just those in the music community.
Last week, it was announced that the US Supreme Court had voted to overturn the legal right to abortion that was in place throughout the country. This has made it possible for individual states to make their own decisions over the legality of abortions – this will inevitably lead to some states heavily restricting the right to abortions, or potentially banning them completely.
‘Roe v Wade’ originally came into force in 1969 when Norma McCorvey became pregnant in Texas. McCorvey wanted an abortion, but this was forbidden in Texas unless the mother’s life was as risk. She filed a lawsuit under the pseudonym ‘Jane Roe’ to overturn the abortion laws in Texas. This was rejected. The case eventually went to Supreme Court, where it was judged that a woman’s right to choose was protected by the constitution.
On June 24th, the Roe v Wade ruling was overturned by 6 votes to 3 in the Supreme Court.
There are numerous ways in which you can get involved if you’re feeling a sense of anger, helplessness or confusion with this decision. Below are a list of charities, which you can use to donate funds or to find out more information as to how you can become involved:
Planned Parenthood – Planned parenthood offer safe abortion services across the US. Join the Bans Off Our Bodies movement set up by the organisation.
National Black Women’s Reproductive Agenda – A Collection of eight Black women’s Reproductive Justice organizations fighting to secure Reproductive Justice for all women, femmes, and girls.
Center for Reproductive Rights – A global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person.
National Network of Abortion Funds – Builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice.
Sign the British Pregnancy Advice Services’s Petition – Sign the petition calling on the UK government to publicly condemns this appalling breach of human rights and makes a clear commitment to supporting women’s access to abortion care around the world.
