Maia Piermattei Blog
Maia Piermattei is an undergraduate student studying International Relations & Sociology and a member of the Glasgow Students for Choice committee.
Glasgow Students for Choice: a fight against reproductive injustice
Reproductive injustice encompasses more aspects of our life than we might think from legal to economic hurdles, from structural inequalities to professed ethical values, there are many factors that pose a barrier to abortion access –all emerging from the same systemic issues that permeate our society. It is when I had this realisation that I decided I wanted to get involved with a pro-choice society.
The mission of Glasgow Students for Choice is to create a safe environment for all those supporting reproductive rights in an age where the fight for human rights through civic engagement proves fundamental to the betterment of our society –even more so in a gendered context. In 2022 the overturning of Roe v Wade, which had until then set a benchmark for abortion laws, has incredibly affected the access to safe abortion care, both in the United States and globally. Whilst in the US individuals were forced to travel to obtain abortion legally, adding travel costs to the already expensive procedures, the US court ruling produced a knock-on effect across different global regions, supplying countries traditionally reluctant to ensure abortion rights with an unequivocal legal decision to hold on to. Reportedly, family planning conferences were called in Thailand; appeals were filed in Kenya against cases enshrining Roe v Wade; marches and rallies were staged in India by religious organisations such as the Family Planning Association; and many of the Italian regional administrations restricted abortion access by disinvesting from the relevant infrastructures. In short: momentum was created, everywhere.
It remains true that progressive governments have been swimming against the tide. In Latin America, where civic activism and pro-choice movements are particularly influential, safe abortion care is backed by consolidated court rulings in Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia and Argentina, to mention a few. Progress was observed in Asian and African countries too, where the cases of South Korea and Ethiopia particularly stood out as they continue to support the decriminalisation of abortion. The overturning of Roe v Wade was met with massive backlash from European leaders too: the decision determined “a huge setback”, “a serious step backwards for women’s rights” and “one of the darkest days for women’s rights”, according to the representatives of Denmark, Norway, and Scotland respectively.
Glasgow Students for Choice stands on this side of the narrative. Throughout the past year, our work as a committee has been more than ever driven by a clear awareness of the challenges that recent global developments have posed to safe abortion access. We are motivated to further destigmatise sexual and reproductive healthcare, advocate for pro-choice issues within the University, educate our following and the broader community on abortion-related matters, and create an inclusive environment for trans individuals, men and women to take part in our mission. So far, we’ve already raised hundreds of pounds for Abortion Support Network, our charity partner operating across Europe, and cooperated with non-profit organisations and lecturers involved in the field of reproductive rights. We did this by organising panel talks, creative events, socials and fundraising walks. The incredible increase in engagement we have witnessed this year, along with ever more positive social attitudes around pro-choice activism, is proof that change happens one step at a time and that we can all contribute to it! I intend this to be my final remark: if you believe in our cause, if you’re passionate about human rights, or if you just want to socialise with like-minded people and explore the reality of reproductive rights more closely –please do get involved! You can follow the society on Instagram @glasgowstudentchoice.