Oral

The women’s health movement brought about a new type of freedom for women in the United States – one that permitted social and economic choices and viability. In sum, the women’s health movement allowed for an environment in which women would not merely survive but thrive and reach their full potential while deciding and maintaining the ability to act to ensure sexual and reproductive health autonomy and economic freedom. This autonomy and freedom was not and has not been realized for all women, and the movement continues to strive to achieve the same freedom for all women. Since the early origins of the women’s health movement, constant threats to persistent challenges in health equity and reproductive choices for women have compromised this freedom and have emerged firmly as part of our national discourse. Abortion, contraception, sterilization, and birthing justice are only a few of these issues once believed to have been conquered that have presented new impediments, newly defined obstacles, and created additional burdens for women with and without the means to decide for themselves through policies and practices. Women have been forced to “legitimize” rape and sexual violence and explain the reasons for directing attention to issues affecting their health, social, and economic choices. Abortion rights have been front-and-center with the dismantling of Roe v. Wade that provided women with options. While persistent challenges have remained, new technology has resulted in new challenges, such as egg and embryo donation, fertility preservation, and medically unnecessary Caesarian sections. The panelists will discuss the historical elements that have resulted in our need for new strategies to address challenges to securing health equity and reproductive justice for women to retain, regain, and establish firm footing in the context of shifting landscapes.

Session Objectives: 1. Discuss the history of the women's health movement; 2. Demonstrate the connection of the women’s health movement to current challenges in health equity and reproductive justice; and 3. Explain how current challenges in health equity and reproductive justice can be addressed through policy, advocacy, and informed action.