On Wednesday, the Arizona Senate made a landmark decision in which an abortion ban that dates back to the 1800’s was repealed. This ban, which was put into place when Abraham Lincoln was president, banned abortions in the state of Arizona. This move marked a significant step toward safeguarding reproductive rights in the state, an issue that has been ongoing in the US for a couple of years now, since Roe v. Wade was devastatingly overturned, denying access to abortions in all 50 states, unless the state votes otherwise. Additionally, two Republican senators joined the Democratic minority to repeal the ban. This highlights a growing momentum for progressive change in abortion legislation.
Shawnna Bolick, one of the Republican senators who is known to be pro-life, joined the side of the Democrats to vote to get the ban repealed. She had said that she recognized the importance of the repeal, which emphasizes what more politicians should: healthcare prioritizes political affiliation. A badass move on her part, this move acknowledged the flaws in the existing legislation and will hopefully help them to work towards a more senseful approach to abortion rights. It is only my hope that more pro-lifers and Republicans would think this way and realize that women’s access to healthy reproductive rights is not politics and should be considered.
Although the country has a much, much longer way to go with how things have almost been moving backwards, the repeal represents a milestone in this ongoing battle to protect women’s access to safe and legal abortion care. This decision will bring heaps of relief to those who are residents of Arizona whose lives and medical decisions were previously subjected.
The repeal is now awaiting Arizona’s Governor, Democrat Katie Hobbs, to sign it. This is not a stressor for many, as she has expressed her eagerness to do so. Hobbs’ has shown an unwavering support for the issue, using her voice to help fight for access to safe and legal abortions in the United States.
Although this may be a huge success for Arizona, there are still challenges that many states are facing to regain access to fair reproductive care. This repeal of the ban that literally dates back to the Civil War does mark a significant victory, but the fight to regain our rights to our reproductivity is far from over, and us advocates must remain loud and resilient. It is a reminder that the struggle for reproductive autonomy is inseparable from the broader fight for social justice and human rights.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 