Unseen organization assists females in obtaining an abortion.
Abortion laws in several US states are becoming stricter, limiting the conditions under which abortions can be performed. This could have severe consequences for women if not for the help provided by the "underground".
Kimra Luna, a doctor and reproductive health activist in the American state of Idaho, is busy at the post office, waiting for a package containing "post-abortion care" items. She receives a text from a woman who has taken abortion pills a few weeks ago, concerned about her heavy bleeding. Luna offers a reassuring response through the Signal app, informing her that some women experience intermittent bleeding for a month.
Idaho's abortion laws are among the most restrictive in the country, creating constant challenges for activists like Luna. She finds solace in the fact that there are other campaigners who, together, form an improvised national network aimed at making abortions possible in restrictive states. "This is the underground," says Jerad Martindale, an activist in Boise, referring to the helpers, including clinic locators and financial supporters.
Abortion rights advocates fear that other states may follow in Idaho's footsteps, with laws such as the one requiring parental consent for minors wanting to have abortions outside the state. Many conservative US states have made it harder to access abortions since the Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to abortion about two years ago.
Supporting Women
Supporters of anti-abortion laws, like Carol Tobias, head of the National Right to Life Committee, argue that these regulations protect the unborn. While she does not know how to prevent people from supporting abortion seekers, her wish is clear: "I certainly wish they wouldn't."
Luna, a single mother of three boys, sees her work as an essential part of the community. As a founding member of Idaho Abortion Rights, she helps guide women seeking abortions through limited resources. While her activism is often done remotely, she offers advice, answers questions, and provides information about accessible resources, such as funds for abortion. The group has found ways to ensure women receive the support they need.
Young women like DakotaRei Belladonna Frausto, a 19-year-old student in Texas, turn to online resources when facing unplanned pregnancies. She found support in an online Facebook group and later created her own group so people could share information about abortion resources. In Boise, about two dozen volunteers assembled to create packets of emergency contraception, condoms, and informational material about accessing abortions. Stephanie Vaughan, now 39, shared her personal abortion experience as a teenager, fearing pregnancy would hinder her education and career. Martindale, a former activist, and his wife, Jen, devote their free time to the group, keeping thousands of morning-after pills in stock to donate. They also deliver reproductive health supplies to local stores, which then provide them for free.
An employee at Purple Lotus, a clothing store in Boise, was supportive when Luna and the Martindales brought them free contraceptives and pregnancy test packages. Taylor Castillo recalled how she needed morning-after pills during a miscarriage and emphasized the importance of assistance since access to these resources could impact her current situation.
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In light of increasing abortion restrictions in some International countries, like the USA, the Internet has become a crucial platform for women seeking support and resources. Advocacy groups, such as the one Kimra Luna is part of in Idaho, offer digital assistance to women navigating the complex web of abortion laws.
Furthermore, international organizations are advocating for the upholding of abortion rights as a fundamental human right, emphasizing the importance of access to safe and legal abortion services worldwide.
Source: www.ntv.de
