September 28, 2022

Ms. Foundation on International Safe Abortion Day

NEW YORK (September, 28 2022) – Ms. Foundation for Women President and CEO Teresa C. Younger released the following statement in recognition of International Safe Abortion Day:

“Today, on International Safe Abortion Day, the Ms. Foundation acknowledges that this year, for the first time in nearly half a century, the United States can no longer guarantee the right to a safe abortion. The egregious decision put forth by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson destroyed over fifty years of precedent set forth by Roe. Vs. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. It is an assault on reproductive justice, fundamental healthcare, and the bodily autonomy of women, transgender and nonbinary people across the country, and the lives of birthing people are in jeopardy because of the recklessness of a minority determined to impose their radical beliefs on the majority. 

“Not only have we stepped drastically into the past, but attempts to put forth legislation that would create a federal ban on abortions have made it clear that they want to strip our rights even further. We cannot and will not stop fighting, and it’s crucial that we elect representatives who will work to codify the right to an abortion.

“International Safe Abortion Day was first celebrated as a day of action by women’s groups in Latin America and the Caribbean. We continue to learn from the successful, inclusive campaigns of feminists in the Global South. As we commemorate today’s 23rd anniversary, let’s be clear that banning abortions doesn’t lead to the end of abortions, but only the end of safe abortions. Abortion is healthcare and access to a safe abortion must be a fundamental right for all. 

“Since our founding nearly 50 years ago, the Ms. Foundation has always supported safe abortion access in the U.S. and we are committed to continue supporting grantee partners such as: Provide, Inc., URGE, Surge Reproductive Justice, Alabama Cohosh Collective, Midwest Access Coalition, Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, Inc., and more who are leading the movement across the country for reproductive justice.”

Ms. Foundation spokespeople are available for interviews by phone or video from NYC. To schedule, please contact Sunshine Sachs at [email protected].