LIHU‘E — The YWCA of Kaua‘i has joined with the YWCA Hawai‘i Island, YWCA O‘ahu and YWCA USA in urging the Supreme Court to protect reproductive freedom in communities across America.
Today, the YWCA of Kaua‘i, with support from Malama Pono Health Services, Hua Moon Women’s Health, The Womb Bookstore and Stacy Ricciardi, will have a sign-waving event at the Lihu‘e Airport intersection (Ahukini Road and Kapule Highway) from 9 to 11 a.m., where masking and social distancing will be enforced.
This is partially sparked by YWCA USA’s Sept. 20 amicus brief filing in the Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which will determine the future of Roe v. Wade.
YWCA of Kaua‘i Executive Director Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh said the full range of reproductive services should be available to all people, no matter where they live. On Kaua‘i, there are some services inaccessible.
“When we think of reproductive health care, it may be that an individual may have to go to O‘ahu,” Hamilton-Cambeilh said this week. “Is that really equal access for full reproductive care?”
In March of 1970, before the Roe v. Wade decision was made, Hawai‘i became the first state in the nation to allow abortions at the request of the woman, according to a recent YWCA release.
“Young women would face significant harm as the first generation in half a century to enter adulthood without the fundamental right to decide whether and when to have children,” Interim CEO of YWCA USA Elisha Rhodes said.
Rhodes said that the stakes “couldn’t be higher.”
“Reversing Roe would limit the full economic potential of young women, who could be pushed out of the workplace or forced to limit their education and careers to accommodate pregnancy or childcare,” Rhodes said. “Everyone should have the freedom and power to make personal decisions about their lives, families and futures. We must stand firmly for a woman’s right to safe, affordable, accessible abortion.”
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Sabrina Bodon, editor, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.
