It is easy to be discouraged by the constant bad news and vapid takes on our social feeds, as our political leaders once again put the right to bodily autonomy at risk. On the other side of the coin, social media has made it easier for people to join the fight for reproductive justice.
The term "reproductive justice" was first used by Black women in Chicago in 1994 ahead of the International Conference on Population and Development. The group named itself " Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice" and began the use of a term referring to the fundamental human right of bodily autonomy and reproductive health, including, but not limited to, abortion.
Oriaku Njoku, executive director of the reproductive health organization Access Reproductive Care Southeast, reiterated the need for a broader understanding of reproductive justice in light of recent news. She said that the work was grounded in the reproductive justice framework.
Activists, health providers, and community organizations are continuing to incorporate this wider understanding of reproductive health and intersectional framing, which includes access to political organizing, class and race barriers, education, and disabilities, into the larger reproductive health conversation. Social media has become a great tool for spreading knowledge and democratizing it.
Below is a list of accounts to follow to stay up to date on the work of reproductive justice advocates.
One of the most well-known national organizations working to expand the right and access to reproductive health care is the organization known as Planned Parenthood. The origins of the Planned Parenthood Action Fund can be traced back to 1916, but it was founded in 1989. The action fund is made up of millions of activists around the country and focuses on political advocacy for abortion care, health equity, contraceptive access, and other aspects of sexual health and education. You can follow almost all of the social media platforms that are associated with the organization. There are updates on reproductive legislation, activism efforts, and educational explainers on the advocacy group's pages.
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The Abortion Care Network was founded in 2008 to destigmatize abortion services and end the harassment of people seeking or providing abortion care. More than 100 independent clinics and dozens of ally organizations help millions of pregnant people around the country. The network is active on both social media sites to learn more about the history of abortion and current legislation. Information and stories from local clinics and reproductive activists can be found on the network.
Indigenous WomenRising is a reproductive justice and health organization dedicated to promoting equitable and culturally safe health care for Native and Indigenous communities through education and advocacy. The campaign was founded in order to raise awareness about the lack of contraceptive access for Indigenous people using the federal Indian Health Service. The organization now operates an abortion and a fund to support pregnant community members. Indigenous Women Rising shares updates on its work and advocacy on its social media pages.
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The Center for Reproductive Rights was founded in 1992 to advance legal reproductive rights and advocacy for people around the world. Its advocates have won reproductive rights cases at levels as high as the United Nations and within regional human rights courts. The center is a leader in reproductive rights research. There are educational videos on reproductive justice, updates on international law and abortion access, and other information on the organization's website.
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One of the founding organizations behind the reproductive justice framework is Sister Song, a Southern-based reproductive rights organization focused on improving institutional access to healthcare for marginalized communities. It was founded in 1997 by a coalition of 16 different organizations of women of color and continues to advocate for social justice organizing through an intersectional, reproductive justice framework. Sister Song is a go-to voice on reproductive organizing for women of color, and shares public conversations and livestreams, advocacy opportunities, and more on both social media.
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The goal of the organization is to help anyone seeking safe reproductive health care. ChoiceUSA was founded in 1992 by feminist activists like Gloria Steinem. In 2000, the organization shifted its focus to youth and LGBTQ organizing, and then rebranded as URGE in 2014, to reflect its new mission toward broader gender justice. Sexual health education, abortion access, and youth civic engagement are some of the things the organization advocates for. You can follow the reproductive justice cause through its social media pages, which include an array of advocacy opportunities, sexual health education, and a refreshing youthful voice to the reproductive justice cause.
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Renee Bracey Sherman founded We Testify in 2020 to promote the leadership and stories of people who have received abortion care. In order to empower and destigmatize the experience, the initiative publishes intergenerational tales from people and their family members who have received various forms of abortion and reproductive care. We Testify shares these stories in a variety of media formats on its social pages. You can read about all of the storytellers on the We Testify website.
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice is an education and advocacy group fighting for reproductive care and sexual health for Latina and Latinx communities. The organization started in 2004 and provides community resources, political advocacy, and storytelling opportunities for community members of all ages and documentation status, and is growing as a national voice on reproductive health policy for Latinx, immigrant, and low-income communities. The group has an intersectional look on how reproductive health is affected by economic, environmental, and cultural barriers in the United States.
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice is a reproductive justice network focused on the sexual health and safety of the Latinx community. The National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice is based on the East Coast and was founded in 1994. You can learn more about reproductive justice efforts on social media.
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