Imani Mauzon: Abortion decision should be left up to the woman

According to the Wall Street Journal, “American voters generally believe abortion should be legal, but many have misgivings about abortion later in pregnancy.” Why does this issue continue to be dominated by people who think they represent the sexual health and decision making of women across the world? And why are abortion laws controlled by government officials, and not women experiencing unplanned pregnancies seeking abortion as viable option?

Voting 242-184, the House of Representatives banned abortion after 20 weeks. The majority (89 to 92 percent) of all abortions happen during the first trimester, and a rare 7 percent after 20 weeks. This should let the public know the government puts money into laws and policies that distract us from undeserving policies and infringes on personal rights and freedoms. It is not the government’s job to dictate any person’s decisions regarding their body or sexual choices.

Gretchen Borchelt, vice president for health and reproductive rights for the National Women’s Law Center agrees that, “Passing an unconstitutional nationwide ban on later abortions does nothing to help women – instead, it threatens their health and lives and interferes in their personal medical decisions.” Abortion should not be an issue voted on and controlled by rules and regulations.

This story was originally published May 15, 2015 at 11:16 AM with the headline "Imani Mauzon: Abortion decision should be left up to the woman."