Reproductive health and rights have always been a touchy subject. People do not talk about it unless they want to get in an argument about abortion. The fact that sex is involved makes the subject even worse. The topic has created divides in the nation and is a popular subject to pay attention for during election season. I only ever heard one side of the issue, the Christian republican pro-life side. I believed it, but was never actively promoting it. There was a lot more to the story and I was not going to learn it in my high school or at home.
Lately I've noticed the news piling up on anti-abortion laws or restrictions in many states involving Planned Parenthood. After just googling Planned Parenthood news, I find a vetoed bill in Virginia, a plan to strip funds in Florida and blocked access in Minnesota. All these arguments involve abortion. Abortion was legalized in 1973, yet it is still constantly in the news.
All I knew about Planned Parenthood was that they provided abortions for those that needed them. I decided to dig a little deeper and find out what they really do. I thought abortion services were emphasized at every Planned Parenthood Center and was astonished to find only 3% of their health services are abortion related. I think this conception of the company is blown out of proportion and people use it to devalue a great business. They do so much work to help with family planning, new moms, sexual violence, sexual health, and even information for LGBTQ communities. They provide over 270,000 Pap tests and more than 360,000 breast exams and educational programs to over 1.5 million people every year. They give birth control and sexual health information to anyone who wants it. Even in the cases women cannot afford services, Planned Parenthood does what they can to give everyone the access they deserve.
Planned Parenthood has been painted with an image of killing babies, but they are trying to save lives. Sexual education and accessible, affordable contraception is essential. Let's be real, people are not going to stop having sex, but it is more important that they are safe. Without these, STDs, unwanted pregnancies, sexual violence and abortions are inevitable. There are still coat hanger abortions happening in 2016 because rights to access to clinics like Planned Parenthood are being denied.
These hindrances only make the problem worse by encouraging unsafe sex because women cannot afford birth control and they are the ones who have to bear the burden of an abortion when men are just as much at fault. It is another form of oppression our society uses against us. The strict state abortion laws and few clinics encourage illegal abortions and putting their lives at risk. I come from a good background and education, yet I have experienced teenage pregnancies around me and have not had access to birth control myself. The girls who got pregnant could have easily been me and stripped me from many opportunities. A change needs to be made. It is our responsibility as women to stand up for each other and help each other. We need to fight for our reproductive rights. We need female representation and their stories to be told and shed light on this issue. Hopefully, one day there will be access for all women to reproductive health care. We need to work towards a future where abortions will no longer be necessary. Until then, it is necessary for women to have safe, affordable, and accessible abortions for the sake of women’s lives.
So, I stand with Planned Parenthood and for women's health.
