With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the fragile state of Reproductive Justice in our country has been highlighted. Therefore, Advocates for Women has proposed that EUUC adopt a new Congregational Stand that resolves: Reproductive Justice is a fundamental human right. The Board has approved our proposal to submit this to the Congregation for a vote at our annual meeting next May.
Reproductive Justice Defined
Reproductive Justice goes beyond reproductive rights and bodily autonomy to include the rights to have or not have children and to parent our children in safe communities. Reproductive Justice also recognizes that legal rights are not enough. People should be educated about and have access to the complete range of reproductive health care, as well as self-determination and the right to conscience regarding their bodies. Families should have healthy and safe conditions for raising children.
A vision of equity and compassion drives Reproductive Justice. The Stand asks us to work to overcome direct threats to Reproductive Justice and address limitations in access due, among other things, to disparities in wealth, environment, race and ethnicity, sexuality and gender, and ability/disability. It asks us to support policies that help families have children and raise the children they have.
For more information on the Stand proposal, please contact Advocates for Women
Education Begins
As a part of the Stand process, Advocates for Women and the Reproductive Justice Work group will be offering multiple opportunities to learn about different aspects of Reproductive Justice. These are listed below:
Wednesday, October 26, 7-8:30 pm, via Zoom. How to talk about abortion: a post-Roe mini-workshop
In this interactive workshop, you will learn about leading with values and following with facts. We will talk about shifting our language to reclaim the narrative. We will discuss words and phrases to use or to avoid – and why. Please click here to register. For more information visit this page.
Sunday, Nov. 20, 11:45 am-1:15 pm, Chapman Hall. … And Reproductive Justice for All.
We will introduce you to multiple aspects of Reproductive Justice, with a focus on intersectionality, access and legal issues. Attendees will learn what the Reproductive Justice movement is, why access and intersectionality are central, the roles of politics and legislation, and how UUs can support Reproductive Justice. A light lunch will be served. Please click here to register.
Sunday, Dec. 4, 11:30 am-12:45 pm, RE 1/2 Book Discussion “Take My Hand” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
In this novel, racial injustice combines with dangers that are inevitable when people lack the right to bodily autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare. It focuses on a Black nurse in Alabama who faces these issues in her work. Reserve a copy at your library now or contact Vicki Roberts-Gassler for a loaner.
For more information on these events, contact Advocates for Women .