We've had abortions!

6 June 1971 cover of Stern

We've Had Abortions! refers to a public campaign and a significant moment in the history of the abortion rights movement. This initiative aimed to destigmatize abortion by encouraging women who had undergone the procedure to come forward and share their experiences. It highlighted the commonality of abortion and sought to shift public opinion by personalizing the issue, showing that women from all walks of life have abortions for various reasons.

Background

The movement towards abortion rights has been a contentious issue in many societies, with debates often centered around morality, women's rights, reproductive rights, and healthcare access. The "We've Had Abortions!" campaign emerged as a strategy to humanize the debate by sharing personal stories of women who have had abortions, thereby challenging the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the procedure.

The Campaign

The campaign was notably publicized through a petition or an open letter format in various publications, where women would publicly declare that they had an abortion. This act of public declaration was both a form of activism and a call for solidarity among women who had experienced similar situations. It aimed to make the issue of abortion more relatable to the public and policymakers by emphasizing the personal over the political.

Impact

The "We've Had Abortions!" campaign had a significant impact on the abortion rights movement by:

• Reducing stigma: By openly discussing abortion, the campaign helped to reduce the stigma attached to it, encouraging more women to share their stories.
• Influencing public opinion: The campaign played a role in shifting public opinion on abortion by highlighting its prevalence and the diverse circumstances leading to it.
• Advocating for policy change: By bringing personal stories into the public sphere, the campaign aimed to influence policymakers and advocate for more accessible and compassionate abortion laws.

Controversy

As with any movement related to abortion, the "We've Had Abortions!" campaign faced opposition. Critics argued that the campaign oversimplified the complex moral and ethical issues surrounding abortion. Others contended that it undermined the potential psychological and emotional impacts of the procedure.

Legacy

The legacy of the "We've Had Abortions!" campaign continues in the ongoing struggle for abortion rights and reproductive freedom. It serves as a reminder of the power of personal testimony in advocating for change and the importance of solidarity among women sharing similar experiences.