Guest Author - Elizabeth Ross

What is it to be Pro-Choice today? Is it just a statement about one’s feelings or beliefs about abortion?

It would be much easier if that were the beginning and end of the issue, even though it is such a controversial topic. Being pro-choice also means taking stands on other issues surrounding women’s health and personal freedoms. It even creeps into science and the economy. Planned Parenthood’s Gloria Feldt explained her thoughts for the present and future of the pro-choice movement in her book, The War On Choice.

Pro-choice is not pro-abortion. The greater part of the movement is about preventing unwanted pregnancies. Emergency contraception is available without a prescription. Making sure that women continue to have access, and increasing the availability of the drugs will decrease the number of abortions. Sexual assault victims should not have to request emergency contraception – hospitals should be required to provide it.

Contraceptive access is an issue of concern. Some health plans deny coverage for contraceptives (including governmental employee programs.) Retailers have attempted to restrict access to contraceptives, claiming they cannot force employees to distribute items they oppose on moral or religious grounds. Legislation protecting access to contraceptives is needed.

Young women should have access to information about their own bodies without restriction. Denying comprehensive sexual education prevents young women and men from learning the truth about their own bodies, safe intimate relationships, and preventing unwanted pregnancies. Schools should be required to provide medically accurate information to students about sex and sexuality.

Current contraceptive methods are not foolproof, although some are close. Research is needed to improve current offerings. Prevention of sexually transmitted infections through vaccines or other pharmaceuticals also needs to be explored more deeply.

In spite of what anti-choice activists may want people to believe, creating life is of importance to those who are pro-choice. Fertility research is needed to allow couples with infertility issues who want children to be able to conceive. Pre-natal care for all is another goal.

If all of the previous goals would be met, abortion rates would drop significantly. But the right to choose an abortion, and coverage for low-income women is still an issue. Also, the next generation of providers must be trained in safe abortion procedures. Those health care workers deserve to work in a safe environment, and laws providing harsh penalties for violent crimes against them must be enacted.

Depending on a court ruling to guarantee the right to choose is too precarious. Legislation in the states and the federal government must be passed to protect these rights. It is not just about the right to have an abortion. It is about a woman’s right to have complete control over her own body, without the intrusion of the government or other persons.