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Supporting Reproductive Rights

The AAUW Issue Paper on Reproductive Rights says: “AAUW trusts that every woman has the ability to make her own choices concerning her reproductive life within the dictates of her own moral and religious beliefs.” While it has not been fashionable to say for several decades, being pro-choice is not equivalent to being pro-abortion. It is simply recognizing that women have varying beliefs about when life begins and what constitutes being truly “pro life.” The choice position allows women to select the belief they wish and does not force anything on anyone. The anti-choice position adheres to a rigid, generally religiously-based position about life and does not allow those who differ to follow their conscience.

Like many other states, Ohio has placed many restrictions on abortion providing fertile ground for activism. AAUW/Ohio usually works in partnership on this issue. In May 2006 we joined the Freedom of Choice Ohio (FOCO) coalition to co-sponsor a lobby day to help introduce the Ohio Prevention First Act (HB 588/SB 328). Preventing pregnancy would eliminate the need for abortion and offers a focus for bridging the divide between the extremes. The bill would institute teen pregnancy prevention grants, require sex education to include medically accurate information about pregnancy prevention and fund family planning services at a higher level. It also includes several provisions regarding contraception. Since it was not considered in the 126th Ohio Congress, it will need to be re-introduced in the 127th Congress.