Restrictive Abortion Laws: Who Suffers The Most?

Restrictive abortion laws hurt people in several ways. They are a violation of human rights, as they deny people the right to bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. They also cause significant harm to mental health, with women of childbearing age in US states with restrictive abortion laws experiencing worsened symptoms of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, restrictive abortion laws disproportionately affect those from marginalised communities, such as people on low incomes, refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ people, and racialised and Indigenous people, as they often cannot afford to travel or seek private care. These laws also lead to unsafe abortions, which cause approximately 39,000 deaths per year worldwide and are the third leading cause of preventable maternal deaths.

People from marginalised communities

For marginalised communities, restrictive abortion laws create and deepen barriers to accessing abortion services. These barriers are social, economic, and political. For example, people from low-income backgrounds may not be able to afford to take time off work for appointments or to travel to another country or state to receive care. Refugees and migrants may face additional challenges in accessing abortion services due to their legal status and limited resources.

Restrictive abortion laws also have a compounding impact on marginalised communities by making health services, in general, less accessible. This includes mental health services, which are crucial for addressing the increased symptoms of anxiety and depression that have been observed among women of childbearing age in states with restrictive abortion laws.

Furthermore, people from marginalised communities are more likely to resort to unsafe abortions when faced with restrictive laws. This can lead to serious health complications and even death. The World Health Organization estimates that there are around 39,000 deaths per year from unsafe abortions globally.

The impact of restrictive abortion laws on marginalised communities cannot be overstated. These laws not only hinder access to essential healthcare but also contribute to the loss of educational and economic opportunities and the deepening of historical marginalisation. It is crucial that the unique needs and challenges faced by marginalised communities are addressed in the fight for reproductive justice and abortion rights.

Women's mental health

Womens mental health

The recent overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States has brought the question of the psychological impact of changes in abortion policy into focus. Scientific research from around the world shows that having an abortion is not linked to mental health issues but restricting access to safe, legal abortions does cause harm. Abortion restrictions affect women's health in more ways than one. According to a new study, simply living in a state that limits access to abortion is linked to worsened symptoms of anxiety and depression in women of childbearing age.

Abortion restrictions and mental health

Abortion restrictions are associated with higher proportions of unintended pregnancies, which are associated with increased risks of stress and depression during pregnancy. The adverse mental health, particularly depression, is not only a common complication of pregnancy but also a leading contributor to pregnancy-related mortality. Parental experiences of adverse mental health, both during and after pregnancy, lead to reduced parent-child bonding, which can result in developmental and behavioral problems for the children.

Abortion restrictions and unintended pregnancies

Since the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, states have increasingly passed legislation restricting abortion. Restrictive legislation includes mandatory waiting periods between an intake appointment and a procedure; two-visit laws requiring patients to be in the clinic at least once before the procedure day; minor consent laws requiring approval from one or both parents; mandatory ultrasounds; funding restrictions; and provider license barriers or onerous building regulations. Such laws have led to abortion facilities closing, increased wait times, restrictions on types of abortion care provided in facilities, and other barriers to abortion care for those seeking abortions, leading ultimately to a reduction in abortions. As a result, people carrying unintended pregnancies are more likely to carry their pregnancies to term as state abortion laws become more restrictive.

Abortion restrictions and mental health during pregnancy

Restrictive abortion legislation was associated with unintended pregnancies, which were, in turn, associated with increased risks of stress and depression symptoms during pregnancy, but not after pregnancy. Abortion restrictions are associated with higher proportions of unintended pregnancies, which are associated with increased risks of stress and depression during pregnancy.

Abortion restrictions and mental health after pregnancy

Abortion restrictions are associated with a 6% increase in state-level suicides among women of reproductive age. Abortion restrictions are also linked to a higher risk of postpartum depression.

Bodily autonomy

Restrictive abortion laws violate the right to bodily autonomy, which is a fundamental human right. Everyone, especially those who can become pregnant, has the right to control their own body and make decisions about their future.

When people are denied access to safe and legal abortions, their bodily autonomy is violated. They are forced to continue with unwanted pregnancies, which can have significant physical, mental, and social consequences. Restrictive abortion laws often result in people seeking unsafe abortions, which can lead to maternal deaths, disabilities, and other serious health complications. Additionally, the lack of access to safe abortions disproportionately affects those from marginalised communities, such as low-income individuals, refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and racialised and Indigenous people, as they face additional barriers to accessing healthcare services.

Furthermore, restrictive abortion laws reinforce and perpetuate systemic inequalities and oppression. They infringe upon the rights of individuals to make their own choices about their bodies and lives, often based on discriminatory ideologies and beliefs. These laws are often rooted in misogyny and contribute to the stigmatisation of abortion, further exacerbating the harm caused.

The right to bodily autonomy is recognised as a fundamental human right by international human rights law. This means that individuals have the freedom to make their own decisions regarding their bodies and reproductive health, and states have an obligation to respect and protect these rights. Restrictive abortion laws directly contradict this principle and deny individuals their basic human rights.

People with low incomes

In the United States, people with low incomes might not have the resources to drive long distances, arrange lodging, or navigate other obstacles created by anti-abortion laws. This is especially true in "abortion deserts", where people are forced to travel to receive legal care, resulting in many being unable to access abortion services for financial and logistical reasons.

The criminalisation of abortion also disproportionately affects low-income communities. Health services are generally less accessible to people on low incomes, and restrictive abortion laws can make it more difficult for them to seek safe services in another country or access private care.

In Morocco, for example, abortion is criminalised in almost all circumstances, and clandestine abortions are unaffordable for women living in poverty. This can lead to dangerous outcomes, as women may resort to unsafe abortions, which can result in fatal consequences such as maternal deaths and disabilities.

Restrictive abortion laws can also lead to the loss of economic opportunities for people with low incomes. For instance, a woman from a rural family in Morocco was unable to obtain an abortion after becoming pregnant outside of her marriage. As a result, she was shunned by her community, unable to find a job, and forced to give up her children.

Right to health

Restrictive abortion laws have a detrimental impact on the right to health, causing significant harm to individuals' physical and mental well-being.

The denial of abortion care is a violation of human rights, as it infringes on the right to life, health, and freedom from violence, discrimination, and cruel or degrading treatment. The World Health Organization recognizes the severe consequences of unsafe abortions, which claim the lives of approximately 39,000 people annually and result in around 5 million preventable disabilities. Restrictive laws push individuals towards unsafe abortion practices, putting their lives and health at risk.

Furthermore, restrictive abortion laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities, exacerbating existing inequalities in access to health services. Low-income individuals, refugees, migrants, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and racialized and Indigenous people face additional barriers to obtaining safe abortions, often due to financial constraints and the inaccessibility of services in their regions.

The mental health of women is also adversely affected by restrictive abortion laws. Studies have found a correlation between living in a state with limited access to abortion and increased symptoms of anxiety and depression among women of childbearing age. The threat of losing abortion rights can lead to a 10% increase in mental distress among women. This impact on mental health is not limited to those seeking abortions but extends to all women who perceive these restrictions as a misogynistic attack on their rights and a threat to their autonomy.

Restrictive abortion laws also hinder access to essential healthcare services, such as contraception and reproductive health education. This infringement on the right to health has far-reaching consequences, including the loss of educational and economic opportunities for individuals and the perpetuation of historical marginalization of certain communities.

The right to health is a fundamental human right, and restrictive abortion laws pose a direct threat to this right, endangering the lives and well-being of individuals, particularly those from marginalized communities.

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