Women’s bodies have long been subjected to control, manipulation and abuse for building states, economic productivity and cultural expediency. Social justice movements around the world, including feminists, continue to fight tirelessly for bodily autonomy and self-determination for all human beings, including those who can become pregnant. The US Supreme Court ruling of June 24th effectively nullifies the constitutional right to abortion, which has been an accepted legal precedent for nearly five decades. This is a devastating blow to fundamental rights that will have far-reaching impact on millions of people, families and communities. We are also keenly aware that it is the most vulnerable populations—the poor, immigrants and noncitizens, people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities—who will bear the brunt of the burden created by this abrogation of recognized rights. Members of GWSS are enraged by this legal decision. Being deeply committed to social justice, including reproductive justice, we at GWSS feel tremendous responsibility at this critical historical juncture. We will continue to serve our students, staff, faculty, community and the public through historically grounded and globally contextualized research, interactive teaching and public engagement in order to address the pressing issues of our time, such as reproductive justice, and continue to find ways to move forward toward a better, more equitable world.
Two GWSS professors, Dr. Lina-Maria Murillo and Dr. Natalie Fixmer-Oraiz, analyze the decision in the Des Moines Register (June 24, 2022) in their opinion essay, “Rulings ensure further cruelty from restricting abortion care.” Professors Murillo and Fixmer-Oraiz write: “Iowans must come together to protect each other. In the coming months and years, we will see assaults on rights long established and taken for granted until now. Losing Roe is a devastating blow to communities already on the margins of care in our society, and a frightening sign of what is to come.”