New York, NY, June 24, 2022 — Today’s ruling from the United States Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion care strips millions of people of their right to control their bodies and make the decisions that shape their lives, families and futures.
As a global organization, the IRC has seen the widespread impact of abortion restrictions, and no one should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term against their will. The evidence is indisputable: making abortion illegal makes the procedure less safe, not less frequent. Globally, unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal death, with the majority occurring in contexts where abortion is heavily restricted or banned.
The toll of this shameful decision by the Supreme Court will fall heaviest on the most vulnerable people living in the United States, including the communities that we at the IRC serve. As a feminist organization committed to gender equality, we believe the right to access abortion care is central to a person’s autonomy and ability to make decisions about their future. No ruling from this or any court will change that belief or weaken that commitment.
David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, said, “The devastating decision to overturn Roe v Wade by the US Supreme Court marks a dark day for reproductive rights and bodily autonomy not just within the United States but the world over. The IRC reaffirms its commitment to making reproductive rights, which are human rights, a reality for all. Family planning and abortion care are fundamental rights as well as life-saving interventions that require our unwavering support - today more than ever before.”