Roe v. Wade: The Heart of Women's Rights

I don’t know about you, but whenever Roe v. Wade comes up, I feel my heart beating a little faster, like a fire has been lit under me. It’s hard not to get emotional about it. I mean, it’s our bodies we’re talking about, right? Our choices, our futures, and, honestly, our power. Roe v. Wade isn’t just a legal case that happened decades ago—it’s the heartbeat of women’s rights, their right to control their own bodies and destinies. (I'm using "their" because I'm not from the USA, but this affects me since I care about justice and every human being.). 

Let’s dive in for a second—what was Roe v. Wade? In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that a woman had the constitutional right to an abortion, which meant the government couldn’t tell women what to do with their bodies. Hallelujah, right? For nearly 50 years, it protected American women from being forced into motherhood if they weren't ready, or if the pregnancy was dangerous, or simply because it wasn’t their choice.

The Repeal of Roe v. Wade – What Happened?

Then, the unthinkable happened in 2022. The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, sending shockwaves through every woman’s life. The decision didn’t outright ban abortion across the U.S., but it allowed states to decide. And we’ve all seen what happened next—state after state clamped down on abortion rights, turning back the clock on decades of progress. For some of us, it felt like a punch to the gut.

Let’s be real here: for so many women, Roe v. Wade wasn’t just about abortion. It was about freedom. The ability to decide if and when they become mothers. The power to plan their futures. The chance to live their lives on their terms.

The reality now? There are entire states where women don’t have that right anymore. And it’s devastating because we’re left asking, "If they can take away their right to choose, what’s next?"

Why It’s Personal

I've listened to personal stories of women who had an abortion, and the one thing that strikes me every time is how deeply personal and varied their reasons are. Some were young and unprepared, others were in dangerous relationships, some couldn’t afford another child, and a few were dealing with life-threatening health issues. But the one thing they all had in common was that it was their decision to make.

No woman should be forced to explain why she doesn’t want to continue a pregnancy. It’s her body, her choice. And honestly, unless you’ve been in that position, it’s hard to understand how life-altering the decision can be. And now, post-Roe, we’re in this terrifying landscape where women are being criminalized for taking control of their own bodies.

How Did We Get Here?

How did we go from Roe v. Wade, a symbol of freedom and autonomy, to this dystopian reality where women are traveling across state lines, hiding their medical decisions, or worse, being forced to carry pregnancies they don’t want?

There are so many reasons, but let’s focus on a couple:

• Politics over people: Let’s be honest, a lot of this comes down to politics. Women's bodies have become a battleground, with politicians using abortion as a way to score points. But when they legislate what we can and can’t do with our bodies, it’s our lives on the line.
• Misunderstanding women: There’s this fundamental issue where the people making these decisions don’t seem to understand—or care about—what women actually need. Instead of trusting women to make their own healthcare decisions, they’re stripping away our autonomy and forcing us into boxes we’ve outgrown.

What Does This Mean for Women Now?

The rollback of Roe v. Wade is especially terrifying for women in low-income areas, marginalized communities, and those without access to healthcare. If you're rich or well-connected, you can just hop on a plane to get the care you need. But if you're struggling to make ends meet, what are your options? It’s cruel that the most vulnerable women are the ones suffering the most.

We’re also seeing how dangerous things can get when women don’t have access to safe and legal abortions. Unsafe methods, untreated health issues, emotional trauma—this is the reality for many women now, and it’s terrifying.

The Fight Isn’t Over

One thing I want to stress is that this fight isn’t over. Women have been fighting for our rights for centuries, and we’re not about to stop now. While the overturning of Roe v. Wade was a massive blow, we’re not powerless. We still have our voices, our votes, and our determination. And trust me, women are organizing, rallying, and making their voices heard.

It’s about supporting each other, too. If someone you know is facing a tough decision or feels lost in this new legal landscape, be there for them. Listen, offer help, and never judge. Because at the end of the day, that’s what this is all about: the right to choose, the right to live our lives how we want to live them, and the right to be trusted with our own bodies.

Where Do We Go From Here?

It’s scary, and it’s easy to feel defeated, but we’ve been here before. We’ve fought before. And we’ll fight again. Maybe Roe v. Wade isn’t coming back the same way it was, but that doesn’t mean the fight for women’s rights is over. This is just the next chapter, and we’ll be the ones writing it.

Stay strong, stay informed, and most importantly, stay connected with the women around you. Our power lies in our solidarity. Let’s keep fighting for each other, for our daughters, and for the future we all deserve.

It’s time to remind the world that women aren’t going back to the dark ages—our bodies, our rights, our future!

Thankful for your presence, Neja