a race against time for access to contraceptives and abortion pills

a race against time for access to contraceptives and abortion pills

2024-11-13 17:19:00

An America split in two. Donald Trump’s victory on November 6 caused a surge of sexist remarks on social networks, according to an analysis by l’Institute for Strategic Dialogue. “Your body, My choice, forever,” chanted Nick Fuentes, an influential nationalist, racist and Holocaust denier podcaster, in a video posted on X. His video has been viewed more than 90 million times and shared more than 35,000 times, d ‘after the institute.

Meanwhile, demand for contraceptives and abortion pills is reaching unprecedented levels, overwhelming America’s reproductive health platforms. If Donald Trump will not take office until January 20, a race against time for access to contraceptives and abortion pills seems to have begun.

Plan for the worst

“It’s a reproductive apocalypse,” Elisa Wells told The Guardian. She is the co-founder of Plan C, an organization dedicated to information on access to medical abortion. On its site, visits jumped 625% in one day. For its part, Aid Access (one of the largest suppliers of abortion pills), received nearly 10,000 requests in the 24 hours following the election, almost seventeen times more than normal.

Dr Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Aid Access, describes the situation as unprecedented: “Women want to have the pills on hand, just in case something happens and they are taken off the market.” . », she explains to Independent. For her, these abortion pills represent “the most important form of care for women”, a service that she intends to maintain at all costs.

For Amandine Clavaud, director of studies at the Jean Jaurès FoundationDonald Trump’s victory represents “the continuation of the annulment of the Roe vs Wade decision”, which removed the constitutional right to abortion. This election will “give wings back to the conservatives. They’re not going to stop there. »

Towards long-term contraception

Fearing restrictions on contraceptives, many women are turning to long-term solutions. Sohana Pai, a 24-year-old medical student, interviewed by the Washington Postdecided to have an IUD inserted to avoid pregnancy under an administration hostile to reproductive rights. “I feel like it’s worth it,” she says. But it’s frustrating to be forced to take these steps. »

For its part, Planned Parenthood, the equivalent of French family planning, claims to observe increases of 760% for IUD appointments and 1,200% for vasectomies. The organization declined to share raw numbers, according to the outlet.

“My body, my choice”: autonomy called into question

Anxiety goes beyond just access to abortion and also affects trans people, whose access to hormonal treatments could be threatened. QueerDoc, an LGBTQ+ health service, received more requests in one day than in a typical week. Dr. Crystal Beal advised her patients to stockpile “as many hormone treatments as state law and their insurance allow,” The Guardian reports. The next two months may not be easy for American reproductive health platforms.

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**Interview with Amandine Clavaud, Director of Studies at the Center for Reproductive Rights**

**Interviewer:** Thank you for ‌joining us today, Amandine. We’re witnessing a significant spike in demand for contraceptives and abortion pills following Donald Trump’s recent election victory. ​Can you ​tell ⁤us what factors you believe are contributing⁢ to this trend?

**Amandine Clavaud:** ⁤Thank you for‍ having me.‍ The surge in demand is largely driven by fear and uncertainty regarding reproductive rights in the United​ States. With Trump’s victory, ​many women are concerned about potential changes to access to reproductive healthcare, especially given his previous administration’s approach ‍to‌ abortion rights. The spike in traffic to sites⁣ like Plan C, with a⁤ 625% increase in visits, indicates that women are feeling the ⁣urgency to secure access while they ​can.

**Interviewer:** It’s been​ described as a “reproductive apocalypse.” How are organizations like Plan C ⁤and Aid ⁤Access responding to this unprecedented demand?

**Amandine Clavaud:** Organizations like Plan C and⁣ Aid Access are working tirelessly to provide crucial information and⁤ resources to those seeking contraceptives and abortion pills. Aid Access, for instance, reported receiving nearly 10,000 requests in just 24 hours post-election,​ which is an astounding increase. These organizations are not only facilitating access but also ensuring that women are aware of their rights and‌ options in this uncertain climate.

**Interviewer:** Dr. Rebecca Gomperts of ‍Aid Access mentioned ‍that⁢ women want to have these pills on hand out of‍ concern for future access. What⁣ does this say about the current state of reproductive⁢ rights in America?

**Amandine Clavaud:** Dr. Gomperts’ observation reflects a deep-seated anxiety among women regarding their bodily autonomy and reproductive choices. The perception that ⁣access to abortion pills could be threatened has prompted many to act preemptively. This ‌speaks to the ‍broader implications of political discourse on women’s rights and highlights the importance of safeguarding access to essential healthcare services amid such uncertainty.

**Interviewer:** With Trump​ not taking office until January, do you foresee any potential legislative or policy changes that could quickly affect access to these services?

**Amandine Clavaud:** While it’s difficult to predict exact policy changes, history shows us that transitions of​ power ⁣can lead to swift and ‌significant alterations in healthcare access. We must remain vigilant and proactive during‌ this time. Advocacy groups are already mobilizing to protect reproductive rights,⁣ which will be crucial in mitigating any potential rollbacks.

**Interviewer:** What message would⁣ you like to convey to women who are concerned about their reproductive rights during this⁣ turbulent time?

**Amandine Clavaud:** My message is one of ‍empowerment and ‌solidarity. It’s vital ⁢for women to stay informed and connected ‍with reproductive rights organizations that provide reliable⁢ resources. Advocacy and community‍ support will be key during this period, and women should not hesitate to seek help or information regarding their ​reproductive choices.

**Interviewer:** Thank you,‍ Amandine,‌ for sharing your insights on this critical issue. ​It’s clear that the coming‍ months will be essential⁢ for reproductive rights in America.

**Amandine Clavaud:** Thank ⁢you for having me. It’s important that ⁣we continue this ‍dialogue and support one another as we navigate these challenges together.

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