ISSUE IV - Bans on Abortions Are Threatening Women, by Daniel Cho

By Daniel Cho, South Korea

In the state of Texas abortions after 6 weeks, where Ultrasound waves can detect a fetus’s heartbeat, have basically been prohibited. This means that abortion even impregnation through incest or rape has been prohibited. In addition, the Supreme Court of the United States has declined the requests to lift the prohibition of abortions within Texas.

In Texas, people are also given at least 10,000 USD if they report a woman that has proceeded with abortion, or someone who helped in that process. The woman herself, as well as the doctor, nurse, or even uber driver can be victims of these reports. And in order to nullify the Supreme Court Decision that ocurred due to the 1973 ‘Roe vs Wade’ incident, the state of Texas has put the blame on its citizens that agree with the prohibition of abortion.

Due to the prohibition of abortions, poorer women are the main victims. Women with certain economic stability can get abortions, even if they have to get to another state. Car-Sharing corporations such as Lyft and Uber have also stated that they will pay the price if its drivers are reported for the law.

President Joe Biden criticized this law on September 2nd, stating “this decision by the Supreme Court is an unprecedented attack on women’s personal rights.” The Ministry of Justice has also stated on September 6th that “if any hospitals or Reproductive Medical centers are attacked”, they will receive assistance.

In addition, the Supreme Court has decided to proceed with a case brought against the law in Mississippi. The law in Mississippi prohibits almost all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. In the midst of this, citizens have been voicing their concerns that the conservatives have an absolute advantage over the progressives, and even though there were 3 progressive and 1 conservative member disagreeing with the judgment that occurred, they could not change the decision of the court. Due to this, there are many users on SNS stating that they miss Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the U.S.