A staggering 57% of Black women in the United States, totaling over 6.7 million individuals, have been stripped of their access to abortion services since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
This stark reality is revealed in a joint report by the National Partnership for Women & Families and the National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, highlighting the disproportionate impact on Black women aged 15-49 living in 26 states, predominantly in the South, where abortion bans are in place or imminent.
The report underscores that restricted abortion access has far-reaching consequences beyond a single reproductive choice. Over 58% of Black women affected are already mothers, and research shows that forced parenthood can lead to increased economic insecurity, hindering the development of their existing children.
Abortion Restrictions: A Threat to the Survival of Black Women
Jocelyn Frye, president of NPWF, emphasizes that Black women in these states are deeply concerned about the ramifications of abortion bans, which are closely tied to economic opportunity, racial justice, and cost of living.
Also, limited abortion access exacerbates the Black maternal health crisis, with Black women three times more likely to die during childbirth due to systemic racism and discrimination in healthcare.
The report’s findings stress the need to prioritize the experiences and voices of Black women, moving away from assumptions that solutions for white women will suffice for all. By adopting a more inclusive approach, we can work towards addressing these pressing issues and ensuring reproductive justice for all.
