Free Palestine is a Reproductive Justice Issue
No one can raise their children in a safe and healthy environment while they are trying to survive a campaign of genocide.
Demanding an immediate ceasefire and a free Palestine is a reproductive justice issue. Since Israel’s collective punishment of Palestinians began, the devastating experiences of pregnant women in Gaza have been making headlines. Caesarean sections and emergency surgeries are happening without anaesthesia because doctors do not have essential medical supplies. Women and girls are using their period products for longer than intended, risking toxic shock syndrome. They are also taking contraceptive pills or progestin medication explicitly to prevent or delay their period.
Coined in 1994 by a group of Black women who met in Chicago to discuss the fact that the pro-choice movement centred on white women without considering that the needs of women of colour differed, Reproductive Justice is a framework that expands the campaign for reproductive rights to include all social justice issues that impact people’s ability to raise their family safely. According to SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, reproductive justice is “the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.”
There is nothing just about the bombing of hospitals. There is nothing just about the fact that medics in Gaza needed to invent a shorthand for describing the children orphaned by Israeli violence — WCNSF; wounded child, no surviving family. There is nothing just about Israel killing over 17,000 Palestinians, including 7,000 children. Where is the justice for the babies and infants found decomposing in their beds at Al-Nasr hospital? There is nothing just about Israeli violence forcing medics in Palestine to abandon their patients. There is nothing just about Israeli war crimes.
Palestinian liberation is a reproductive justice issue. No one is free to make informed decisions about whether or not to have children in a war zone. No one can raise their children in a safe and healthy environment while they are trying to survive a campaign of genocide.
In an open letter organised by Access Reproductive Care – Southeast (ARC-Southeast) in the US and signed by multiple organisations, including Alliance for Choice Derry, reproductive justice workers, activists, and advocates draw parallels between their experiences helping pregnant people access abortion care in Southern US states in the face of abortion bans and the fight for Palestinian liberation because bodily autonomy is at the core of both. The letter states, “We cannot fight for reproductive autonomy at home while ignoring the struggles of marginalized people for bodily autonomy abroad, especially when the same government responsible for our reproductive oppression at home is sponsoring the reproductive oppression of Palestinians.”
Reproductive freedom means freedom for all. We must loudly demand an immediate ceasefire. More than that, we must collectively demand a Free Palestine.
But What Can I Do?
Protest! Protest! Protest! The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign compiled a list of demonstrations around the country. Ireland Action Palestine regularly updates this calendar of solidarity events in Ireland.
Everywhere, join the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The BDS National Committee put together an explainer about why targetted boycotts work better than non-targetted ones, which includes a list of which companies to boycott and which companies to put pressure on — Act Now Against These Companies Profiting from the Genocide of the Palestinian People.
In Ireland, Uplift has compiled a list of actions you can take right now to call for a ceasefire — Actions to bring a ceasefire in Gaza.
In Ireland, sign and share the Irish Anti-Apartheid Campaign for Palestine’s pledge — End Israeli Apartheid Pledge.
In Ireland, sign and share the petition calling for the Irish government to take action to stop the genocide — Stop the Genocide.
Everywhere, are you a Swiftie? Sign and share the Taylor Swift for Palestine petition — Taylor Swift for Palestine.
Donate to abortion funds
In Europe, donate to Supporting Abortions for Everyone (SAFE), Abortion Support Network, Aborcyjny Dream Team, Abortion Network Amsterdam, and Abortion Without Borders.
In the US, the National Network of Abortion Funds lists funds in every state — donating here means your donation supports 90+ organisations.
Share information on how to access abortions
In Ireland, if you are pregnant and do not want to be, or someone you know needs an abortion, the HSE’s MyOptions service will help you find your nearest provider. Freephone 1800 828 010.
The Abortion Rights Campaign has written a blog post about how the legislation works and on what grounds abortion is permissible after the 12-week on-request period has passed — Need an abortion?
In Northern Ireland, Alliance for Choice Belfast and Alliance for Choice Derry have shared information on accessing abortion services in the North.
Alliance for Choice Belfast — I Need An Abortion Now.
Alliance for Choice Derry — Abortion Help.
In Northern Ireland, Lucht Cabhrach Abortion Doulas provide support at home before, during or after your abortion.
Phone 07397 902774 or email abortion@luchtcabhrach.com — What are doulas?
Email allianceforchoicederry@gmail.com to contact Alliance for Choice Derry’s abortion doulas — Our Abortion Doulas.
Alliance for Choice Derry has gathered information on identifying whether an unplanned or crisis pregnancy service is legitimate or a rogue agency or clinic. While their post focuses on Northern Ireland and Ireland, these tactics are used globally by anti-abortion groups — What is a Rogue Clinic?
In Malta, the Abortion Doula Support Service is a free information service by pro-choice doctors offering advice and support to people needing an abortion — Abortion Doula Support Service.
In Poland, Abortion Dream Team provides advice and support for people seeking abortions, whether at home with abortion pills or travelling abroad for abortion care — Abortion Dream Team.
In the US, ineeda.com provides up-to-date information on how to get an abortion.
Share information on how to access contraception and STI testing
In Ireland, free prescription contraception is available for women, girls, trans and non-binary people aged 17 to 30 (will include 31-year-olds from January 2024) — How to access the free contraception scheme.
In Ireland, free STI testing is available at home from SH:24 — Order your free at-home STI tests.
Everyone Loves a News Round-Up
"While we still hope that the Court ultimately rejects the state's request and does so quickly, in this case we fear that justice delayed will be justice denied," Said Molly Duane, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights. "We are talking about urgent medical care. Kate is already 20 weeks pregnant. This is why people should not need to beg for healthcare in a court of law." — Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling that allowed woman emergency abortion [ABC News]
“Eight babies were born into homelessness services run by Depaul over the last 12 months, the charity said, as it warned of the “staggering human cost” on those who are homeless heading into the Christmas period.” — Eight babies born into Depaul's homelessness services in the past year [Irish Examiner]
“Two post-Roe cases are being considered at the Supreme Court currently that raise key questions about federal law and the Biden administration’s powers to protect abortion access after Roe. The justices are being asked to hear appeals related to the mifepristone case — a challenge to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of and access to the medication abortion drug — and to consider a request relating to the Biden administration’s application of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) to abortion-related care.” — Emergency room abortion-care, mifepristone cases are both in front of the justices [Law Dork]
“In the 2023 legislative session, Idaho lawmakers created the new crime of “abortion trafficking,” making it illegal to help a minor travel within the state to access care. They also dissolved the state’s maternal mortality review committee, rendering Idaho the only state without one, and voted against expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage.” — In Idaho, Extremists Have Created a Culture of Fear Around Pregnancy [Rewire News Group]
“Vanessa Mendoza Cortés, President of Stop Violence (Stop Violències), a civil society organisation, was charged with criminal defamation after voicing concerns about Andorra’s total abortion ban at a meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to examine the country’s record on women’s rights in 2019.” — Andorra: Activist on trial for raising concerns about total abortion ban at UN meeting [Amnesty International]
"While the majority of early pregnancy abortion care is provided in the community, a hospital-based service is essential for some women and is a valuable support for the community-based service.” — Five more maternity hospitals to provide abortion services from Monday [The Journal]
“He has admitted to the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) that the sterilisation was not necessary to save the woman's life or prevent harm to her health.” — NI gynaecologist admits sterilising woman without her permission [BBC]
“There are no abortion clinics in Ireland. All abortion services are in hospitals, GPs, and health centres so these protests impact everyone” added Karen Sugrue, co-chair of Together for Safety.” — Limerick campaign group welcomes advance in medical protection zones [Limerick Post]
“Some 150,000 women between the ages of 17 and 26 have accessed the free contraception scheme since it was introduced last year.” — 150,000 women use free contraception scheme since its introduction [Newstalk]
“Abortion Camp was held in early September at a hotel in the Pacific Northwest. The campers ranged in age from 19 to one woman in her 80s, and spanned professions and geographies. They were doctors, midwives, abortion fund workers, community organizers, nonprofit leaders, poets, digital security specialists, lawyers, clinic escorts, doulas, and researchers. Some attendees had known each other for years, while others were meeting for the first time. What they all shared was a commitment to keeping abortion accessible in the wake of the Dobbs decision.” — A Weekend at Abortion Camp Offers a Glimpse Into the Future of Abortion Access [The Nation]