WINNIPEG, MB, April 26, 2023 – WHC is extremely disappointed and angered by North Dakota’s decision to ban abortion after 6 weeks effective immediately. This is one of the strictest abortion laws that we have seen coming out of the United States, and we are fearful for what this means for other states in the future.
Republican Senator Janne Myrdal of Edinburgh endorsed this legislation by saying that “North Dakota has always valued the moms and babies both”, confirming its stance as a pro-life and pro-pregnancy state.
Banning abortion after 6 weeks is not valuing the life of the pregnant person who does not want to become a parent. We endorse abortion for any reason, because people should be in control of their own destinies and know what is best for them.
It doesn’t value the life of someone struggling to afford childcare and food for their existing family.
It doesn’t value the life of the international student who doesn’t have medical insurance.
It doesn’t value the life of someone in an abusive relationship who does not want to bring another life into the home.
It doesn’t value the life of someone who has never wanted to become a parent and now cannot access safe abortion care in their home state.
According to the Turnaway study, there are significantly worse socioeconomic outcomes for children whose parents were denied abortion care. These children were more likely to live below the poverty level or were living in a household without enough money to cover food, housing and transportation costs. In fact, people who are able to access abortion care often become parents in the next 5 years, with the right partner, at the right time for them and with more resources.
“What we need to remember is that people are experts in their own experiences. When someone can choose when the right time to become a parent is for them, they are better equipped to handle the challenges of parenthood and the children are better off as well,” says Kemlin Nembhard, WHC Executive Director. “We will never stop fighting for anyone to have the right to agency over their own body.”
We have said it before and we will say it again: WHC’s doors will not close to anybody who needs to access abortion care. And we need to keep in mind that this ruling will not stop abortions from happening: it will just stop access to safe abortion for mainly marginalized people.
The best way to help, right now, is to donate money to organizations that are advocating for abortion access in the United States, or to donate to WHC as we anticipate an increased need for services.
Currently, WHC performs 25-30% more abortions than we are funded for every year. We are able to do this thanks to generous donations for our community.
