To say I am angry would be an understatement. Why are men in positions of power in this country able to still make decisions on what women can do with our bodies?

A Supreme Court opinion draft that revealed that the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade this summer was leaked on May 2, 2022, and this has stirred up protest, rightfully so. 

Roe v. Wade was a 1973 landmark decision from the SCOTUS that protects a constitutional right to privacy and a person’s choice to have an abortion. 

It has been tried numerous times but now is very likely to be overturned.

Abortions are healthcare, regardless of personal and religious beliefs and overturning this decision will be detrimental to the access of safe abortions nationwide. 

The announcement has sparked state governments to propose bills to make women’s access to this healthcare and contraceptives harder. 

In the states of Texas and Louisiana, lawmakers have proposed bills to not only ban abortion but to also criminalize it, using the leaked document as justification for this action.

As a young woman, it is scary to think my government could restrict my right to safe healthcare for a child I either don’t want or can’t take to term.

Medical conditions that make pregnancy a possible life-threatening situation, such as endometriosis, might have to terminate the pregnancy for the mother’s livelihood. There are multiple factors for why this access to treatment is important. 

Endometriosis is a painful disease that affects roughly 190 million women and girls who are at the age to be able to carry children, according to the World Health Organization. 

Having children we can’t afford or do not want to raise in this environment should not be forced upon us. 

Overturning Roe v. Wade will not get rid of abortions or the access to contraceptives to prevent pregnancies; it will only get rid of safe and legal ones.