This post was written by Katharine Bodde, Policy Counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union as part of our PowHer the Vote 2017 campaign.
Reproductive and family rights are too often perceived through a rigid partisan lens that stops conversation before it can even begin. In this November’s election and beyond, New York voters and local elected officials should move past our strangled dialogues to address the facts and offer real solutions that make our communities stronger and healthier.
So, let’s lay out some facts.
Fact: In New York, 55 percent of pregnancies are unintended.
That is 15 percent higher than the global average and far higher than other developed countries. Unintended pregnancy is associated with a host of child and maternal health problems.
Unintended pregnancy also has deep implications for the state’s budget – in New York in 2010, the federal and state governments spent $1.5 billion on unintended pregnancies. Our public policies must ensure access to reproductive and sexual health care services, including contraception and abortion. Local policy makers should support statewide efforts to fully decriminalize abortion in New York State and strengthen insurance coverage for contraception.
New York is also failing many young people by not requiring comprehensive sex education in our schools. That means not all students learn about their bodies, gender identity and sexuality, healthy relationships and consent, the importance of delaying sexual activity and guarding against STIs and unintended pregnancy. Few young people in New York receive the medically accurate, age-appropriate sex education they deserve.
Officials should work with their school districts to adopt a sex education curriculum that reflects the national standards. That will ensure that every young person educated in our public school system obtains the skills and knowledge they need for a healthy future and healthy relationships.
Fact: Workers often must choose between providing essential care to their children and bringing home a paycheck.
The United States is the only developed nation that does not provide paid family leave, but starting January 2018, New York law will allow workers to take paid time off to care for a new child or ill family member. Local policymakers should support businesses to implement the new law and spread the word about the program.
While the new law is a step in the right direction, we still have far to go to ensure families, particularly low-income ones, have the resources and childcare support they need to keep their families healthy.
Fact: New York lags behind most other states when it comes to preventing maternal deaths.
Maternal deaths in New York disproportionately impact women of color. Improved access to health care and prenatal and early childhood support would not only lead to better health outcomes but it would work to eliminate longstanding and unacceptable health disparities.
Together, these facts show that New York has work to do to support women and families. Women’s ability to participate equally in society depends on the freedom to determine whether and when to have a family. New York families need support to ensure our communities are healthier and stronger.
This November and beyond, let’s drive a conversation rooted in fact and aimed at real solutions.
And let’s make sure we know where our policymakers stand on these critical issues.