March 25, 2020
Ms. Foundation Speaks Out on Abortion Bans During COVID-19 Pandemic
Ms. Foundation Speaks Out on Abortion Bans During COVID-19 Pandemic
NEW YORK (March 25, 2020) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement about the news on state governments categorizing abortion as “nonessential” during the COVID-19 pandemic:
“The orders from Attorney Generals in Ohio and Texas to ban abortions in the face of COVID-19 is an attack on women’s rights and a manipulation of law. It is downright despicable to take advantage of a global pandemic and national crisis to further political agendas and strip women of their autonomy.
“Now is not the time to compromise on anyone’s healthcare, period. Women across the country are already facing extreme levels of economic struggle and mental distress as they manage orders to social distance against the need to earn a living and care for their families. Ripping away their ability to make reproductive choice will only exacerbate these problems.
“Legal bans on abortion will force women to tu\r\n \to illegal, dangerous methods or wait out the ban, making a time-sensitive procedure even more hazardous or impossible. In addition, these bans are an affront to hourly wage workers – many of whom are women of color – who are risking their lives to stock our grocery stores, deliver packages and food, work at hospitals, and more, often without access to paid sick or family leave.
“The Ms. Foundation and our grantee-partners strongly condemn the actions of Texas, Ohio, and any state that would capitalize on a crisis to curb a woman’s right to choose. Instead of policing our bodies and restricting essential medical services, our lawmakers should focus on coordinating the medical and economic resources our poorest communities will need to move forward. We will not stand by as cruel leaders manipulate a global health crisis to push a backwards agenda, at women’s expense.”
Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or remote interview. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].
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The Ms. Foundation for Women transforms our democracy by building women’s collective power. Guided by a gender and racial justice lens, we resource grassroots movements that center women and girls of color, advance feminism in philanthropy, and advocate for policies that improve women’s lives across the country. Since 1973, we’ve opened up worlds of possibility for women and girls. But to finally achieve justice for all, we need you in our fight. Learn more and get involved at ForWomen.org.