The moral imperative of reproductive rights, health, and justice

Abstract

Reproductive health (abortion, contraception, sex education, and assisted reproductive technologies) is being eroded by regressive laws and policies shaped by political conservatism, both domestically and internationally. Framing this aspect of women's health care as immoral, abortion opponents claim a moral high ground that results in a deference by reproductive health advocates who fail to raise moral arguments in rebuttal to these assertions, unnecessarily. This paper argues that reproductive rights, health, and justice are human rights-based and, hence, are moral frameworks that can and should be used to effectively counter pernicious reproductive health policies.

Keywords: Abortion; Morality; Reproduction.