Findings of a recent survey conducted by PMNCH, the world’s largest alliance for women’s, children’s, and adolescents’ health, have unveiled that more than one-third (35%) of respondents primarily active in Africa, South Asia, and the Americas believe that there may be diminished access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that legalized abortion in the United States in 1973.
The report titled “Overturning Roe v. Wade: Concerns for Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services, Including Safe Abortion” is aimed to assess the global repercussions of the U.S. decision and to assist partners in bolstering advocacy and accountability for SRHR on a global scale. In collaboration with Fòs Feminista, AMREF, and Aga Khan University, PMNCH released the special report in anticipation of the 78th UN General Assembly, scheduled for September 18 to 26, 2023, in New York. The report strongly advocates for the urgent prioritization and recognition of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights within global agreements.
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, PMNCH Board Chair and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, emphasized that “The effects of the overturning of Roe v. Wade extend far beyond U.S. borders.” Close to 60% of the survey participants believed that the reversal of Roe v. Wade had given added confidence to the anti-abortion movement. This trend was especially pronounced among those engaged in India, where 65.2% expressed this perception.
“India has for the first time seen an anti-choice protest across the country and judicial appeals by faith-based opposition groups to ban or restrict access to abortion. This has never been the case in India, but it is emerging in the post-Roe era.” Observed one Donor and Foundation constituency from India.
The report emphasized that advocates and partners supporting health service provision must re-double their efforts to scale up access to comprehensive and accessible reproductive healthcare services to safeguard the well-being of individuals seeking the full range of SRH services, including safe abortion.
Some of the key findings from the report highlight:
- One-third of respondent organizations (52 in total) believe there is less access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services including abortion and post-abortion care, and family planning in their countries following the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision.
- One-quarter of respondents perceive negative changes in domestic funding and international funding for Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services including family planning, abortion care and post-abortion care.
- More than half of respondents think that overturning Roe v. Wade has emboldened anti-abortion movements in their countries.
- More than one-third of respondents believe the overturning of Roe v. Wade is limiting opportunities among key stakeholders and decision-makers to discuss and support abortion, post-abortion care, and SRHR policies, including family planning laws and policy frameworks.
- Advocates are countering these effects by supporting increased public education on the benefits of SRH services, as well as on the harmful effects of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
In a broader context, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, 2022, effectively nullified the federal constitutional right to abortion in the United States, a right that had been established by the groundbreaking 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade. As of September 2023, abortion has been banned or heavily restricted in 22 U.S. states, with more states anticipated to follow suit.
Apart from its direct impact on abortion services, respondents believe that the overturning of Roe v. Wade has cast a shadow over access to a wider spectrum of SRH services, including family planning. This has affected policies, service delivery, and funding. Survey results have highlighted deep concerns regarding the perceived local consequences of the U.S. decision in certain countries.
In some nations, the overturning of Roe v. Wade has raised concerns about its impact on abortion advocacy and access to funding. For instance, an NGO in Uganda foresees a decline in abortion advocacy, potentially leading women to resort to unsafe abortions rather than seeking care at healthcare facilities. In Sierra Leone, an organization focused on adolescents and youth reports that funding for abortion advocacy has become even more challenging post the repeal of Roe v. Wade.
Conversely, in other countries, the decision has served as a wake-up call for the feminist movement, emphasizing the importance of sustained abortion advocacy efforts even in challenging global contexts. Exemplary countries highlighted in the report, including Colombia, offer insights into fostering changes in SRHR policy dynamics and funding flows on a global scale.
For PMNCH, the survey results validate widespread concerns about the potential ramifications of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The need for intensified advocacy is clear, particularly during a time when SRH services and rights have faced challenges due to the impact of COVID-19 and other factors, such as escalating humanitarian conflicts that disproportionately affect women.
Rt. Hon. Helen Clark, PMNCH Board Chair underscored the survey results confirming concerns of a potential reduction in access to sexual and reproductive health services for women worldwide, posing a serious risk to their health and well-being.
The survey methodology involved questions developed by PMNCH, with responses gathered through various channels, including the PMNCH newsletter, social media platforms, and direct outreach to PMNCH’s constituencies. The report is complemented by interview findings from Fòs Feminista, a New York-based coalition comprising over 170 organizations working towards advancing sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. Further research is essential to fully grasp the real-world impact of overturning Roe v. Wade in various settings, recognizing the limitations of the current methodology.