Tuesday, September 28th, is International Safe Abortion Day, an annual day of action to support the right to safe abortion across the globe.
Every year, more than 35 million unsafe abortions worldwide lead to millions of injuries and tens of thousands of preventable maternal deaths. Unsafe abortion remains a global public health problem, accounting for up to 13% of maternal mortality worldwide. Without laws and policies that support access to abortion, people who can get pregnant cannot determine their own futures.
As we advocate and organize to protect the right to abortion within the United States, we must ensure this right extends to all people, no matter where they live. We know that harmful U.S. foreign policies like the Helms Amendment restrict abortion access for people living thousands of miles away, particularly for Black and brown communities in low- and middle-income countries.
Passing the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, the first-ever legislation to repeal the Helms Amendment and expand abortion access globally, is a critical step in ensuring the right to abortion across the globe.
Members of Congress must end restrictions on abortion in U.S. foreign policy by repealing the Helms Amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act
The Biden Administration, including agencies like the State Department and USAID, must openly support abortion access in U.S. policies and programs for people living in the U.S and across the globe
Let’s speak up in support of abortion access on International Safe Abortion Day and everyday!