A Republican administration in Washington, DC is bad for reproductive rights globally and in the United States. We know that the policies and strategies of a Trump administration are regressive and cruel. They limit individuals’ agency to control their reproductive lives and interject the government into the bedroom where it absolutely does not belong. These policies are also counter-intuitive: a majority of Americans have clearly signalled that they support access to reproductive healthcare.
A few thoughts on what we can do:
- Don’t let fear and frustration set in. We are on the right side of history and there is an inexorable march towards freedom (including reproductive freedom) even while it is under attack.
- We should focus on those things we can control, ensuring that contraceptives and safe abortion products, services, and information are widely available everywhere in the world. For DKT, our commitment to making quality, affordable contraception and safe abortion products available and accessible throughout the world only continues to strengthen.
- We will continue to fight battles large and small, keeping up our collective spirits with the practical successes we can achieve individually or organizationally. In DKT’s case, that means launching and expanding access to contraception, training providers, and educating and empowering our customers.
- We can support organizations that are working to make a difference. We remember that facts should never get in the way of the truth.
The sweetest counter-punch to the US election outcome will be our collective grit, programmatic resilience, and unwavering focus on the mission to ensure all people can determine their reproductive destinies. We stand in solidarity with our partners and friends through this trying time and welcome any and all efforts to partner as we move forward together.
Chris Purdy
SOURCE: Updates from DKT, letter from Chris Purdy. E-mail: 11 November 2024.