Spark Change

Watered Down Liberty: Bodily Autonomy

by Aisha Majid

The fight for liberty is an age-old conquest, advanced by many since the beginning of organized  government. Women in particular, have struggled for the right to own property in their name, participate in leadership roles, the right to vote and even to open bank accounts as unmarried individuals.

The incremental changes that bring women closer to being equal to men in society have not come about easily. The recent reversal of Roe v. Wade feels like a collective gut punch, even on an elementary societal level. Whether it is being cautious of predatory men in the workplace or fighting to express health concerns without being labelled as ‘dramatic,’ women are feeling the pressure from all sides.

The importance of abortion cannot be overstated when there is a long list of complications that  women can and do experience during childbirth such as ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, or mental health issues that prevent women from safely carrying to term. In circumstances such as these, denying women the right to an abortion is the denial of a basic, life-saving human right, which can not only trigger other health problems but also threaten their lives.

This medical right was not, however, enshrined in legislation. It was fought for in the 1970s under the fourteenth amendment of the US Constitution which ensures “equal protection of the laws” to all against the state and the right to privacy. The decision in Roe has been settled case law for nearly fifty years, establishing an important precedent since 1973. It is unusual for settled case law to be overturned, especially when it is supported by much of the population. Years of inattention from lawmakers is what has now prevented the legislated safety of abortion.