Philadelphia Women’s Theatre festival (PWTF)  firmly believes in abortion access for all women, inclusive of the trans and non-binary communities.  Access to safe, legal and inclusive abortions is a basic human right.  We are outraged by the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overrule Roe v. Wade and intend to provide resources and action steps to eliminate discrimination against women.  Rolling back the clock on nearly 50 years of precedence infringes upon reproductive freedom.  It is well researched and documented that restrictions do not reduce abortions, but instead, increases health risks due to unsafe abortions, cause undo financial burdens, and lead to stress and mental health concerns.  Women’s healthcare rights as a whole are under attack. PWTF is committed to centering the experiences of women through storytelling, artistic advancement and creative innovation.  We will continue to amplify untapped and diverse women’s voices, harnessing the power of theatre for social change regarding women’s rights and freedoms. We stand proudly with all advocates intent on ensuring women’s right to health and essential healthcare.  We implore officials within our representative government to know the facts, heed the cries of your constituents and protect equality for all people, especially the most vulnerable.  Together, we can #ChangetheStory.

 

 

Resources​

Know the Facts

Defend our Rights & Join the Fight

Find Resources for Support​

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KNOW THE FACTS​

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL - "People have abortions all the time, regardless of what the law says... When undertaken by a trained health-care provider in sanitary conditions, abortions are one of the safest medical procedures available, safer even than child birth." ... "Criminalising abortion does not stop abortions, it just makes abortion less safe... Preventing women and girls from accessing an abortion does not mean they stop needing one. That’s why attempts to ban or restrict abortions do nothing to reduce the number of abortions, it only forces people to seek out unsafe abortions." Learn more key facts but visiting Amnesty International's website, linked above. 

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WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION - "Inaccessibility of quality abortion care risks violating a range of human rights ... including the right to life; the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; the right to benefit from scientific progress and its realization; the right to decide freely and responsibly on the number, spacing and timing of children; and the right to be free from torture, cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment." 

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"Multiple actions are needed at the legal, health system and community levels so that everyone who needs abortion care has access to it. The three cornerstones of an enabling environment for quality comprehensive abortion care are:

• respect for human rights, including a supportive framework of law and policy;

• the availability and accessibility of information; and

• a supportive, universally accessible, affordable and well functioning health system."

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GUTTMACHER INSTITUTE - "Given myriad logistical hurdles—including potentially long wait times for an appointment and navigating various abortion restrictions like forced waiting periods that may push people beyond the six-week gestational limit—getting an in-state abortion may be impossible to achieve. In this sense, many people seeking an abortion in states with six-week abortion bans are faced with the same three options as people in states without any clinics providing services: travel out of state, self-manage their abortion or carry their pregnancy to term."

 

Guttmacher Institute has created an interactive map which "groups states into one of seven categories based on abortion policies they currently have in effect. ... Users can select any state to see details about abortion policies in place, characteristics of state residents and key abortion statistics, including driving distance to the nearest abortion clinic."

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DEFEND OUR RIGHTS & JOIN THE FIGHT​

ACLU (AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION) - "We all deserve the power to control our bodies, lives, and futures ... Getting access should not depend on where we live, how much money we make, or who we are." 

 

"Help [ACLU] fight against this injustice by pledging your support, donating, taking to the streets, and sending a message to politicians at the ballot box: Abortion is a right, and you can’t ignore us."

 

PLANNED PARENTHOOD - Planned Parenthood offers resources to join events, contact lawmakers, offer support to others (abortion funds, legal costs), and options to "Voice Your Dissent". "You deserve to control your own body. Join an event to support reproductive rights!"

 

ITHE WOMEN'S CENTERS - The Women's Centers offers a cohesive list of programs and campaigns - "engage to reduce abortion stigma!" These include: The Sea Change Program, Shout Your Abortion!, The 1 in 3 Campaign, The Abortion Diary Podcast, and many more.

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FIND RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT 

NATIONAL BLACK DOULAS ASSOCIATION® - "The NBDA Worldwide™ Doula Clinic. You can schedule to meet with an NBDA® Doula for drop-in or scheduled appointments. Ask fertility, pregnancy, postpartum, breast/chest-feeding related questions, and more."

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POSTPARTUM SUPPORT INTERNATIONAL - Loss and Grief Resources. "You are not alone. PSI has resources available to help."

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CAYABA CARE - "Home-based pregnancy care. Personal, friendly help between OB visits from your own team of experts."

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MATERNITY CARE COALITION - "Maternity Care Coalition has partnered with more than 145,000 families throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania, focusing particularly on neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, infant mortality, health disparities, and changing immigration patterns. We know a family’s needs change as they go through the pregnancy and their child’s first years and we offer a range of services and programs for every step along the way."