New York, NY, 24 June 2022 | The SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade jeopardizes health and rights in the U.S. and globally, blatantly violates fundamental human rights, and will have profound global ramifications. As a U.S.-based organization that advocates globally for gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), Women Deliver condemns the decision in the strongest terms.

SRHR are a fundamental component of a range of human rights, including the right to life and the right to health. The right to health and to essential SRHR services, including safe abortion, is recognized by a wide range of international human rights mechanisms and major regional human rights instruments in Europe, America, and Africa. Given the widespread proliferation of the right to health, it is also considered a part of customary international law.

The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is not only a violation of fundamental human rights, but also an affront to the health and rights of people everywhere, and particularly from communities facing systemic discrimination in the U.S. and around the world.

Time and again, evidence has shown that restricting abortion access does not stop or reduce abortions. Instead, it makes getting an abortion harder and increases the number of abortions carried out in unsafe — and sometimes life-threatening conditions. Marginalized populations, and those already facing multiple barriers to the realization of their health and rights, are always the hardest hit.

This ruling will not only hurt people living within the U.S., but will have ripple effects that negatively impact bodily autonomy and SRHR around the globe.

We stand in solidarity with our partners and with the activists, movements, and health providers who protect abortion rights and access in the U.S. and worldwide. To uphold SRHR as part of both the right to health and the right to life, all people must have access to accurate information and comprehensive health services, including contraception, counselling, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and crucially, safe abortion services. Today and always, we stand with all those who believe in and advocate for SRHR — an essential component of identity, bodily autonomy, and the ability to choose. #AbortionisEssential

Media Contact: Rachel Elliott, Communications Focal: relliott@womendeliver.org