By Olivia Hooper
Women across the world face criticism for every inch of their being, from their bodies to their personalities, and, unfortunately, their choice of whether to have an abortion is no exception. Anti-abortion protests further threaten a person’s right to bodily autonomy and unjustly control people’s decisions.
What does anti-abortion mean?
Those who are anti-abortion believe it is right to prioritize the life of a fetus over the mental and physical health, as well as any other circumstances, of an adult. Usually, these beliefs are connected to religion. Anti-abortion movements persistently try to spread misconceptions about abortion practices or discredit the scientifically approved abortion pill.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says: “Abortion is a common health intervention. It is very safe when carried out using a method recommended by WHO, appropriate to the pregnancy duration, and by someone with the necessary skills. In the same way, in early pregnancy, medical abortion can also be self-managed safely.”
The so-called “pro-life” movements often engage in evasive ways to try and persuade people not to follow through with the procedure and try to shame people who are considering having an abortion. However, there should be no shame in getting an abortion, and nobody should be made to feel less than for taking action and control of what is right for them and their body.
Social stigma, intersectional discrimination, and marginalization are some of the countless barriers people face when seeking an abortion. Anti-abortion movements add to the obstacles that make accessing professional clinics, support, and care increasingly difficult. Women Deliver, a supportive organization, wrote: “More than 22,000 women die from complications from unsafe abortions each year in developing countries.”
Anti-abortion movements are threatening people’s right to make decisions to control their fertility and exercise reproductive autonomy. And these movements have been going on for decades. Regressive legislation and far-right political standpoints usually cause a spike in extreme anti-abortion activism, and the impact of the movements is evident on a global scale.
Targeting abortion clinics
Abortion and family planning clinics are constantly targeted by “pro-life” protestors. They usually stand outside the entrance and harass people seeking an abortion.
According to the news outlet DW, Germany has been taking steps to crack down on anti-abortion movements. The country’s Green Party announced a draft law at the start of 2024 to stop “pro-life” demonstrators from approaching or harassing visitors within a 100-meter radius of abortion and family planning centers. And for those who violate the ban, they could face a fine of over $5,000.
Meanwhile, other countries still lack laws to protect clinic visitors. The UK has failed to create a safe radius around clinics and as a result, the number of anti-abortion protestors has spiked. One reproductive health clinic chain in the UK said that their central London locations have anti-abortion protesters outside four to five times a week.
It is not only those visiting the clinics who receive pressure but also the medical staff. In Colombia, professionals working at a clinic say they get shouted at on their way to work and have had their cars and other property vandalized. One doctor in Colombia told Amnesty International: “We always have to constantly be wary because the threats never stop.”
Movements backed by anti-abortion legislation
Regressive legislation towards a woman, trans man, or nonbinary person’s bodily autonomy is deeply intertwined within patriarchal systems and denies the person the right to make a choice. Furthermore, it supports the anti-abortion rhetoric and fuels other types of behavior such as harassment and judgment of those seeking an abortion.
The US has witnessed turbulent times since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the law that recognizes a person’s right to an abortion, turning back the clock on the progression of women’s rights. The New York Times wrote that 10 states have banned abortion in almost all circumstances, and another 10 states have banned abortion in different stages of pregnancy.
Brazil is another country that should implement a regressive shift in its legislation. It currently only permits abortion in cases of rape, anencephaly, and when there is a risk of death. However, decision-makers are now trying to implement a new law in which abortion would be considered homicide if a survivor of sexual abuse accesses an abortion after 22 weeks of pregnancy, even when that pregnancy is the result of rape.
Feminists have been protesting the draft proposal saying that the legislation would mean rape survivors could incur more severe penalties than rapists themselves.
How to deal with anti-abortion protestors
So what should you do if you are faced with anti-abortion protestors?
The most important thing to remember is that they are trying to control people’s decisions about their bodies. However, you should always remember that it’s your right to have your own beliefs and choose what is right for yourself.
Try to ignore any images or facts they are displaying; a lot of them are based on misconceptions and incorrect information. They use extreme imagery to try to make this medical procedure into something that will shock and scare you. In these situations, just try to look away.
Remember that the best way to dismantle anti-abortion movements is to not engage, react, listen, or take any materials they try to give you. By doing this, you are breaking the cycle of interacting with their misinformation and preventing their ideology from gaining attention and momentum.
At safe2choose, we recognize that stigma, inaccurate information, and anti-abortion movements can make it difficult to get the information you need. That’s why we offer abortion information and medically trained counselors on our international online platform so you can discuss what is right for you and your body in a safe space.