October 2021 WGR DEI-HSP Open Forum Recap

In September 2021, the Supreme Court upheld a new Texas law that significantly restricts abortion rights and delegates enforcement to private individuals; this lawsets a new precedent for reversing reproductive rights across the country. At this moment, many women-- and especially those in government relations--are working to understand the repercussions of such a law amid feelings of bewilderment, confusion, frustration, anger, and sadness. On October 1, the DEI Committee and Health and Social Policies Task Force collaborated to open space for a members-only dialogue and reflection on reproductive rights in the United States.

WGR members were joined by MiQuel Davies, Assistant Director of Policy with Physicians for Reproductive Health. Davies framed and facilitated a discussion on reproductive rights, the major litigation that has been developed to protect women’s bodily autonomy, and what is happening in Texas right now. For a copy of the slide deck, members can visit the DEI Committee Resources Page on the WGR Community, linked here: https://bit.ly/3BbU4u7.

In the conversation, members raised the significant impact that reproductive rights has, including empowering professionals with the ability to get pregnant to advance careers in government relations. Members acknowledged that legislation restricting abortion access impacts all people who can get pregnant, a group that represents at least half the population, and especially those experiencing broader barriers to healthcare access, including women, those from marginalized communities, those in remote and rural areas, those from low income backgrounds, and people of color. Moreover, members shared insight and experiences about the ways in which these identities intersect within the context of reproductive justice in powerful ways. The group reflected on how the restriction of abortion access, combined with lack of access to prenatal health care, continues to be most harmful to the most vulnerable of our societies. For example, members named concern regarding the drastic increase in the maternal mortality and infant mortality rates in Texas. Members thought big-picture about how restricting reproductive rights for groups within the larger population of people who can get pregnant has broad implications for everyone, over time. Members also underscored the importance of recognizing that people of financial means will always have choice and access; it is the low-income people who are most impacted by restrictive laws.

This timely and critical conversation built on our diverse expertise and experiences as women in the field of government relations to offer mutual support and identify ways we can take collective action.

Additional Resources

• MiQuel Davies, Physicians for Reproductive Health contact info: mdavies@prh.org
• Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force: https://www.wacdtf.org/
• National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/
  

WGR Open Forums welcome all WGR members to join together in critical conversation. WGR’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee values member feedback in our shared work. Do you have another topic in mind, or feedback on this forum? Contact us directly at dei.wgr@gmail.com or complete this anonymous survey.

This month’s blog is authored by DEI Co-Vice Chair Larkin Willis.