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A recent report by two reproductive rights organizations reveals that nearly 7 million out of the country's 11.8 million Black women of reproductive age live in states with existing or proposed abortion restrictions. The report, published by the National Partnership for Women & Families (NPWF) and In Our Own Voice, underscores the disproportionate impact of these restrictions on Black women across the nation.
According to the report, 57% of Black women aged 15 to 49 reside in states with bans or threats to abortion access. This percentage has increased since the Supreme Court's overturning of the Roe v. Wade decision. Jocelyn Frye, president of NPWF, emphasized in an interview that Black women in these states are primarily concerned about their physical and economic well-being.
The report also highlights that 2.7 million economically insecure Black women live in these states, with 1.4 million working in service jobs that often lack essential benefits like paid sick leave and flexible schedules. This group includes Black women with disabilities, multiracial Black women, veterans, and immigrants.
Apart from abortion bans, these women also face challenges related to economic opportunity, cost of living, and racial justice, all of which are intertwined with abortion access restrictions. Approximately 43% of Black women of reproductive age living in states with abortion restrictions reside in Texas, Florida, and Georgia, states known for their stringent laws.
Southern states, where the majority of the nation's Black population resides, account for most states with abortion restrictions. Frye noted that addressing the barriers faced by Black women can lead to improvements for many others, as they often highlight systemic issues affecting broader populations.
The report states that nearly half of Black women aged 18 to 44 in these states have grappled with difficult decisions and concerns in the two years since the Supreme Court's ruling. Questions like "Will I survive childbirth?" and "Will I be arrested if I miscarry or need an abortion?" underscore the gravity of the situation.
As of May, 14 states have banned abortion, and 11 have restricted access, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Arizona's Supreme Court recently upheld an 1864 near-total abortion ban, though Governor Katie Hobbs later signed its repeal.
Reproductive justice advocates have long highlighted the disproportionate impact of restricted abortion access on Black people, who seek abortion care at higher rates and have less access to family planning services, resulting in poorer health, education, and economic outcomes.
Frye and Regina Davis Moss, president of In Our Own Voice, stressed the importance of focusing on Black women in the report titled "State Abortion Bans Threaten Nearly 7 Million Black Women, Exacerbate the Existing Black Maternal Mortality Crisis." They pointed out that historically, the experiences of women of color, particularly Black women, have been overlooked.
The leaders hope the report will prompt groups, academics, and lawmakers to consider and address the lived experiences of women when discussing abortion restrictions. "We need to move from a 'they' mentality to a 'we' mentality to solve these issues," said Davis Moss.