NNVAWI Position Statement on Leaked Draft Majority Opinion re: Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
The Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International (NNVAWI) is deeply troubled by the leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion that would, if finalized, overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that has protected individual reproductive freedom for nearly 50 years.
As nurses, midwives and other health care professionals, we stand with our professional organizations across the world in affirming every person’s right to access a full spectrum of reproductive healthcare 1-3. As violence researchers, we understand domestic and sexual violence are consistent, strong predictors of unintended pregnancy 4,5, and this decision would further undermine a survivor’s bodily autonomy. As proponents of health equity, we acknowledge the disproportionate impact this decision would have on the poor and marginalized and understand that the ability to choose if, when, and how to give birth is strongly associated with a person’s health and wellbeing 6-8.
Abortion care is a political and ethical touchstone in the United States, and NNVAWI respects the plurality of deeply held personal beliefs across our membership. However, we are simultaneously committed to research and advocacy that protects an individual’s safe, legal access to the full suite of reproductive healthcare services should they choose. As a global organization working across six continents, we stand in solidarity with our members in the United States and will continue advocating for comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all.
To advocate for access to reproductive rights, consider using the following resources:
Learn, Donate, Advocate:
Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org/
Center for Reproductive Rights: https://reproductiverights.org/
Population Action International: https://pai.org/issues/abortion/
NARAL Pro-Choice America: https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/
Share and Support:
References:
1. American Nurses Association. Reproductive health. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/official-position-statements/id/reproductive-health/. Updated 2022.
2. American Academy of Nursing. Women's health. . 2022. https://www.aannet.org/policy-advocacy/womens-health.
3. American College of Nurse Midwives. Leak of SCOTUS alito's draft majority opinion overturning roe v. wade. https://www.midwife.org/statement-leak-of-scotus-alito-s-draft-majority-opinion-overturning-roe-v.-wade. Updated 2022.
4. Pallitto CC, García-Moreno C, Jansen HA, Heise L, Ellsberg M, Watts C. Intimate partner violence, abortion, and unintended pregnancy: Results from the WHO multi-country study on women's health and domestic violence. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2013;120(1):3-9.
5. Silverman JG, Decker MR, McCauley HL, et al. Male perpetration of intimate partner violence and involvement in abortions and abortion-related conflict. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(8):1415-1417.
6. Upadhyay UD. Innovative models are needed for equitable abortion access in the USA. The Lancet Public Health. 2017;2(11):e484-e485.
7. Dickman SL, White K, Grossman D. Affordability and access to abortion care in the united states. JAMA Internal Medicine. 2021;181(9):1157-1158.
8. Foster DG, Biggs MA, Ralph L, Gerdts C, Roberts S, Glymour MM. Socioeconomic outcomes of women who receive and women who are denied wanted abortions in the united states. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(3):407-413.