Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters hold reproductive justice panel
CHILLICOTHE― The Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters held a panel discussion on reproductive justice on March 28 to discuss the history of women's reproductive healthcare, the politics behind abortion bans and to answer questions from league members.
The event was held in honor of Women's History Month. League president Robyn Brewster said although the league is non-partisan, "members were encouraged to be political themselves by educating citizens about and lobbying for government and social reform legislation."
As a former educator, Brewster said she thinks it's important for both parties to come together and get educated on current issues, including reproductive justice and abortions bans.
Panelist Olivia Oney from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio said that abortion bans are historically used as a way to control people. She described abortion bans as a human rights crisis and an economic crisis.
The Hyde Amendment restricts federally-funded abortions under major federal health care programs. Oney said this takes reproductive healthcare, like STD testing, away from people in low-income areas.
Panelist Rev. Terry Williams, pastor of Orchard Hill United Church of Christ and member of Faith Choice Ohio, said the lack of funding mainly affects "already under-resourced communities," including Appalachian communities and people of color.
Panelist Debra Nickles, an Associate Professor at Ohio University, said reproductive health is used by both political parties to garner votes. Panelist Bart Henshaw, former Planned Parenthood board member and former League of Women Voters President, added that laws on reproductive healthcare are often changed for social reasons, not health reasons.
More: Abortion rights advocates gather in Chillicothe at Ross County Courthouse
Oney said most people support abortion access.
"Over two-thirds of people have said they support or at least oppose the bans that we've seen," Oney said. "Abortion is more common than you think it is. One in four women have had an abortion. It's very overwhelmingly going to pass if we get this on the ballot in November."
Henshaw encouraged audience members to craft an informative "three-minute speech" to give to friends and relatives who are curious about reproductive justice.
Dawn Zarbakhsh has been a member of the Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters for 20 years. She asked the panel multiple questions throughout the discussion to get more information on women's reproductive rights.
"It kind of this issue kind of makes you feel like if you're female that you're not really quite a whole person because the stage is making a decision for you," Zarbakhsh said.
Oney passed around a petition for the right to reproductive freedom with protections for health and safety.
Abortions are currently legal in Ohio through 20 weeks gestation or 21 weeks and six days after the last period.
Megan Becker is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. She can be reached at 740-349-1106, email her at mbecker@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @BeckerReporting
This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters hold reproductive justice panel
