The Struggle For Autonomy

In many countries, women are often denied their reproductive rights. One of the reason is because of the strong influence of religion. There are many conservatives who believe that organizations such as Planned Parenthood are destroying the conservative belief that women are not allowed to be sexually liberated. Many religious groups believe that Planned Parenthood will encourage young people to have more sex and participate in risky behaviors. In the article, “Anti-Abortion Groups Target Funding of Planned Parenthood,” Sharmila Devi reports of the various strategies used by anti-abortion groups of terminating the Planned Parenthood organization. Devi discusses the heavily falsified and graphic video, released by David Daleiden, the leader of the anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress (CMP), claims that Planned Parenthood is conducting illegal acts, altering abortions and selling fetal tissue for profits. Center for Medical Progress, the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Charlotte Lozier Institute claim that if Planned Parenthood was defunded, there are health centers that are able to provide services to lower-income women. Most of these pro-life activists and anti-abortion groups are often driven by their religious beliefs that the termination of a pregnancy is a crime against God’s creation.

People who are in support of defunding Planned Parenthood use religion as an excuse to put limits on women’s rights. Pro-life activists have the right to exercise their beliefs. However, some of these groups have refused to protest in peace, instead, they exercise their right by planning various dangerous attacks on Planned Parenthood, as well as verbally attacking the organization’s employees. In response to these anti-abortion groups, Sara Rosenbaum, a professor of health law and policy at George Washington University argue that the situation would be dire if there are millions of women will have to wait or travel to other states in order to receive care. Rosenbaum claims that most health centers are currently unable to provide medical assistance to many communities, and it would be nearly impossible to provide care for these women if there is an abrupt change. Devi reminds the reader that even though President Obama has stated that defunding Planned Parenthood would be a federal violation, the organization is currently restricted from using federal funds to perform any future abortion procedures.