Health Equity and Reproductive Rights

by Paige Hammond on behalf of Health Equity Initiative’s Board of Directors

“Equality is giving everyone a pair of shoes, 
​Equity is giving everyone a pair of shoes that fits.”
​~ unknown

The fight for reproductive dignity, care, and autonomy is neither new nor singularly faceted. Inequities exist in health outcomes by a person’s sex and/or gender identity, which in turn impacts gender equity, a major determinant of health equity. These ongoing health inequities have been highlighted, especially in recent months. In fact, women are currently faced with significant adversity in relation to reproductive rights, which ultimately affects the health of all women, both physically and mentally. Women are experiencing ongoing attacks on their reproductive rights and are losing the ability to choose outcomes for themselves. This is in addition to other ongoing crises, such as the disproportionate rates of adverse maternal health outcomes within the Black community and other groups that have been marginalized - or experience disadvantage and bias - as the result of related health, racial, and social inequities. 

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​In this increasingly difficult time, Health Equity Initiative is using this post as a platform to share the stories of those who have been impacted. Whether this means listening to women who have previously experienced unwanted pregnancies or complications, or to those who are frightened of what the future of their own reproductive health may look like, listening to and understanding women is imperative in beginning to achieve health equity.

Additionally, we recognize that advancing rights in reproductive health cannot rely on women alone. Rather, individuals who identify as men can work to advance reproductive rights and ensure a better future for women and generations to come.

There are various organizations advocating to protect the reproductive health and rights of both men and women, within the U.S. and globally. Visit the websites linked below to read more about this topic. Information found at these sites covers women’s stories and other topics on reproductive justice, abortion, male engagement in reproductive health, and the ongoing maternal health crisis. 

ORGANIZATIONS & RESOURCES: 

United States: 

• Every Mother Counts - Maternal Health Crisis
• Guttmacher Institute - Men as Partners in Reproductive Health
• Data for Impact - Male Engagement in Reproductive Health Programs 
• Power to Decide - Reproductive Justice Organizations to Uplift 
• CDC - Advancing Men's Reproductive Health 

Global:

• Eight Lives - UNFPA
• My Abortion Story - Doctors Without Borders
• 3 Women from Around the Globe Share Family Planning Stories - Global Citizen
• UNFPA - Engaging Men in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 
• ​Ipas - Working with Men to Expand Abortion Access

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Credits: Thank you to Erin Williams, Health Equity Initiative’s Summer 2022 Communication and Social Media Intern for her support in researching the websites included in this post.

Image Credit: Unsplash, Gayatri Malhotra: https://unsplash.com/photos/eIGgOPbMDgA 
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​Author’s Bio: Paige Hammond is the Summer 2022 Freelance Project Coordinator at Health Equity Initiative. She is currently pursuing degrees in both Public Health and Communication Studies at The College of New Jersey. She is passionate about public health's intersection with education and communication.