Challenges facing Black women in the wake of Dobbs

By Ivan Sanchez

In the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court decision, which effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, the reproductive rights landscape in the United States has shifted dramatically. A flurry of state-level initiatives aimed at either restricting or safeguarding abortion rights have emerged, reflecting the deeply polarized attitudes towards reproductive autonomy.

Among the states making significant moves are Colorado, Florida, Maryland, and South Dakota. Colorado will vote on a Right to Abortion Initiative. This measure seeks to embed in the state constitution a fundamental right to abortion and permit the use of public funds for abortion services, signaling a progressive stance in safeguarding reproductive freedoms.

Florida Amendment 4 proposes to enshrine in the state constitution a woman’s right to abortion before fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks, or when necessary to protect the patient’s health as determined by their healthcare provider. This amendment aims to establish clear parameters for abortion access within the state.

Maryland is considering the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, which aims to amend the state constitution to affirm the right to reproductive freedom. This includes decisions related to preventing, continuing, or terminating pregnancies, reflecting a commitment to protecting individual autonomy in reproductive healthcare choices.

In South Dakota, Constitutional Amendment G proposes a trimester framework for regulating abortion, potentially introducing significant changes to how abortion services are provided and regulated within the state.

However, amidst these legal battles, new analysis from the National Partnership for Women & Families and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda sheds light on the disproportionate impact of these measures on Black women.

The analysis reveals that over 6.7 million Black women, constituting 57 percent of Black women aged 15-49, reside in states that have banned or are likely to ban abortion. Moreover, over 58 percent of Black women in these states are already mothers, with many serving as primary or sole breadwinners for their families. Restrictions on abortion access not only jeopardize their reproductive autonomy but also threaten the economic security and well-being of their existing children.

Additionally, nearly 2.7 million economically insecure Black women are disproportionately affected by these restrictive measures, further exacerbating existing disparities in access to healthcare and economic opportunities.

The analysis highlights the challenges faced by disabled Black women, Afro Latinas, and multiracial Black women living in states with restrictive abortion policies. These intersecting identities compound barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare, exacerbating disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.

The battle over reproductive freedom in Tennessee and throughout the rest of the country will center around these local ballot initiatives for the foreseeable future, with the Supreme Court handing back decision making to the states, and a growing backlash to extreme abortion measures both here and throughout the United States.