Women's Reproductive Health

This article was originally published by Reuters.

"This is much larger than one issue; it's much larger than one party or one election," said Jen Miller, the executive director of the League of Women Voters of Ohio. "This is about a freedom that Ohioans have had for more than a century."

In June 2022, the US Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, ending the federal constitutional right to abortion. This ruling eliminated a fundamental right that women and people who may become pregnant held for nearly fifty years and left the right to abortion up to federal and state legislation. 

One year after Dobbs, 20 states are enforcing more limited abortion bans than before the ruling, including 14 states that have banned abortion at conception. Additionally, many have implemented other restrictions that make abortion less accessible.

Last year’s SCOTUS decision repealing the right to abortion continues to affect millions of people nationwide. Yet while most of us are familiar with its impact on family planning, I wonder if we all understand the full repercussions on every aspect of our lives? 

This story was originally published by RadioIowa.

Dr. Deborah Ann Turner, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, is an OB/GYN who was medical director at Planned Parenthood North Central States. She previously practiced at hospitals in Davenport, Mason City and Des Moines. “Respect the people seeking abortion as individuals,” Turner said at the hearing “…You have no license or right to make medical decisions about anyone’s health except your own.”

One year ago today, the Supreme Court of the US took away our right to bodily autonomy. 

LWV President Dr. Deborah Turner launches her three-part blog series about the impact of Dobbs and other anti-abortion legislation with a look at the medical impact of anti-abortion laws.

LWVUS President Dr. Deborah Turner issued the following statement after the Supreme Court issued a stay of a lower court decision that limited access to the abortion drug mifepristone while the issue is heard on appeal.

Without the ability to make reproductive decisions for one’s body, those who can become pregnant cannot participate equally in our democracy.

Further, since the Dobbs decision reversing the right to abortion, numerous state governments have introduced legislation directly or indirectly related to reproductive rights, challenging doctrines of US democracy. 

This story was originally published by WIFR.

It’s been seven months since Roe v. Wade was overturned, escalating debate over reproductive rights.

Women’s reproductive rights has been a back-and-forth conversation for decades, but some groups want to make sure the conversation keeps moving forward and that women are listening.

A panel of health experts spoke to Freeport residents in an event sponsored by the League of Women Voters. They say the goal Tuesday night was to educate people, especially women, on their bodies and the rights they have to protect them.

In November 2022, the League sent delegates in person and virtually to observe the COP27 Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Experts highlighted ways in which climate change disproportionately affects women and girls, who are insufficiently represented in climate change response decision-making. 

In a groundbreaking year, you rallied, donated, wrote representatives, and voted to defend a democracy in which all voters can safely and fairly make their voices heard.

Here are a few highlights.