Powering Activism

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When news leaked on May 2, 2022, that Roe v. Wade would be overturned through Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, shockwaves reverberated across the United States and around the world.

PAI responded within hours, joining thousands of protestors on the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to speak out. We helped contextualize the global impacts of the ruling for the media and the rest of the world, and stood in solidarity with our fellow champions fighting for reproductive rights domestically.

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Speaking truth to Power In Washington, D.C.,

Speaking truth to Power In Washington, D.C.

By the time the Dobbs decision became official on June 24, we had already spent weeks refining our strategy and messaging to continue advancing essential sexual and reproductive health and rights in a post-Roe political climate. Our ability to act quickly was facilitated by PAI’s long-standing leadership of the International Family Planning Coalition (IFPC) — an alliance of more than 70 members representing rights-focused groups and international humanitarian, development and faith-based organizations. Working through collective advocacy with our coalition partners, we saw significant gains on Capitol Hill in 2022.

Together, we secured record support — more than 200 co-sponsors — for the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (Global HER) Act, which would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule. We also worked with our champions in the Senate to introduce the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, which would eliminate the Helms amendment.

We also succeeded at avoiding funding cuts for international family planning and reproductive health programs and the United Nations Population Fund — no small feat, given the emboldened opposition in Congress.

While our focus is on the international sphere, we were not simply bystanders to what was happening in the United States. We partnered with our fellow advocates working domestically to re-establish the federal right to abortion care by endorsing the Women’s Health Protection Act, and supporting the Title X domestic family planning program.

Given the mounting threats to bodily autonomy globally and chilling effect U.S. policies have abroad, our best hope for turning the tide is to collectively lead a unified and powerful sexual and reproductive health and rights movement. PAI is proud to help lead the charge.

In addition to hundreds of engagements with congressional staff, PAI’s advocacy in Washington, D.C., included:

letters signed to U.S. policymakers

pieces of legislation endorsed

policy briefs and analyses published

Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, head of PAI, an international reproductive rights group, added in a statement that the “decision would bolster the anti‑abortion movement around the world, derail the progress toward universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights and violate the agency, autonomy and aspirations of communities across the United States."

"Abortion is essential health care, and access to abortion is a fundamental human right. Together we stand in solidarity, not only here in the U.S., but with our sisters, our brothers and communities all around the world."

Last May, PAI was front and center at the Bans Off Our Bodies march in Washington, D.C., joining thousands of fellow activists protesting the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Knowing the outsized impact U.S. policies and funding have on the health and well-being of people globally, we’ll continue helping to lead a strong, global movement and fighting for the rights of all. (Photo by Michelle Frankfurter for PAI)

Last May, PAI was front and center at the Bans Off Our Bodies march in Washington, D.C., joining thousands of fellow activists protesting the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Knowing the outsized impact funding from and policies within the United States has on the health and well-being of people globally, we’ll continue helping to lead a strong, global movement fighting for the rights of all. (Photo by Michelle Frankfurter for PAI)

thank you

In 2022, the right to bodily autonomy and reproductive health was attacked like never before. But despite these threats, PAI, our network of partners and this global movement remain strong.

You are an important part of this movement, and we are grateful for your support in 2022. We still face challenges. But — with you by our side — our movement is unstoppable.

Members of a women’s group in India enjoy a lighthearted moment after a training session on sexual and reproductive health and rights. (Photo by Sala Lewis for PAI)

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