As an Iranian American woman who immigrated to the United States in search of freedom over my body, rights, and voice, I am deeply troubled by the current state of reproductive rights in both Iran and the United States. In November 2021, Iran’s government passed the “Population Rejuvenation and Support for the Family Bill” in an effort to boost birth rates by severely limiting access to contraception and family planning services. This was no surprise for a country whose authoritarian regime has oppressed women for the past 45 years.

However, surprisingly, in the United States, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022 restricted women’s right to access reproductive health care. In June 2024, the GOP furthered this effort by blocking the “S.4381 – Right to Contraception Act”. Conservative politicians are taking these steps to restrict access to reproductive healthcare, driven by political motivations rather than consideration for the health and well-being of women. They have consistently worked to roll back decades of progress in women’s rights.

Reproductive freedom is a human rights issue that is fundamental to gender equality and justice; it impacts men, women, and the very fabric of our society. Let us unite to defend these rights, advocating for policies that protect and expand access to reproductive healthcare. By voting for leaders who champion reproductive freedom, we can safeguard the health, dignity, and autonomy of people everywhere. Let us ensure that everyone, especially women who bear the greatest impact of childbearing and rearing, has the right to control their bodies and their destinies. This November, voters have the power to stop this erosion of our core right to bodily autonomy. It is essential that we vote against all candidates who oppose access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare that is inclusive of contraception and abortion services.

Maryam Radpour

Women’s Democratic Club of Utah

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