Reproductive Justice is a feminist and progressive philosophy that emphasizes women’s right to make their own decisions about pregnancy and reproductive health. It views reproductive rights as a matter of social justice, not just private choice, and advocates for access to quality care, regardless of race or economic status.
Reproductive Justice is a feminist and progressive philosophy that emphasizes the right of all women, regardless of race, nationality or social class, to make their own decisions about pregnancy and reproductive health. The term reproductive justice was adopted by many progressive feminist groups, particularly those composed of women of color, in the 1990s to communicate their commitment to a broad spectrum of reproductive rights. These groups typically argued that consideration of reproductive rights, including abortion rights and access to contraception, should be viewed as a matter of social justice rather than just a matter of private choice. Proponents of this philosophy often criticize traditional advocates of abortion and contraception for framing the discussion of reproductive rights as a matter of choice, which fails to recognize the ways in which racism and economic disparities limit the choices of many women. Thus, those who perceive reproductive rights as a matter of justice argue that while women should have access to contraceptive and abortion services, they should equally have access to antenatal care and be protected from unwanted sterilization or invasive family planning measures.
In the 1990s, ideas of reproductive justice began to gain attention in various progressive social movements, such as those advocating for social justice and women’s rights. Feminists of color and other anti-racist activists have argued that simply making it legal to obtain abortion or contraceptive services does not actually provide access to reproductive health services. In a reproductive justice framework, women would not be limited in their reproductive choices by lack of funds or inability to access quality care. Nor would women be discouraged by public policy, health care professionals, or social service employees from having children simply because of their economic status, race, or ethnicity. Instead, women would have access to medical and other services that would help them have a healthy pregnancy, experience a safe birth, and be able to provide a safe home for their children.
Reproductive justice advocates also seek the provision of culturally sensitive sexual health services. These services would help all women protect their reproductive health and receive effective treatment for STIs and other health problems. In addition to accessible health services, reproductive justice would also mandate the availability of quality sex education, which would allow people to fully participate in decisions about their sexual behavior and sexual health and whether they wish to parent a child.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
