Reproductive Rights For Women

Even in the 21st century women cannot maintain the same rights as men in certain aspects. The ability to access all the available health care possible, including birth control and abortion, is a priority for many women. Closing the wage gap in the work force between genders is also an important topic regarding equality. Women should be allowed to attain reproductive rights and equal pay because their right as a human includes the ability to control one’s own health and have equal job opportunities.
As times begin to change, the course of women’s liberation heads toward a more modern goal. “Reproductive rights, far less of an issue in the 19th century, became a major aim of the women’s rights movement in the early 20th century, as new medical

technology increased access to birth control” (Quezzaire, Finley). Contraception provides women with the certainty of not becoming pregnant, as well as improved health due to certain medical conditions. “Women's access to affordable healthcare has been a source of contention for lawmakers on either side of the aisle, with the debate centered particularly on Planned Parenthood” (Quezzaire, Finley). Planned Parenthood helps young people with their future and provides sexual education, improving many lives. Many factors support women’s health care, including basic human rights of being a responsible individual. “...If a woman is responsible enough to take the pill in the first place then i think it's fair to assume that she is quite well aware of the implications of being sexually active” (Carey 109). It must be understood that women can fully control their own bodies and denying rights leads to a lack a of stability.
The controversial topic of abortion takes position as one of the major factor in reproductive rights for women.

Many feminists stand with the pro-choice argument to defend women’s rights. “When we are denied the right to end pregnancy we lose our right to bodily autonomy; a fundamental human right central to western civilization” (Furedi 85). The right to choose allows women to exercise her rights in decision making on a basis of equality with men. Furthermore, “A woman who decides to have an abortion—as 46 million do annually—must have access to the facilities and care that will enable her to terminate her pregnancy safely” (“Safe and Legal Abortion…”). In order to guarantee the safety of abortion, laws need to protect women and the facilities. “When access to abortion is highly restricted, many women seek unsafe procedures to terminate their pregnancies, resulting in high rates of mortality and morbidity” (Uberoi, De Bruyn). Based on the situation, not having an abortion can be harmful, showcasing the downside of the pro-life movement. Eliminating threats to the progression of women’s reproductive rights ensures the depletion of serious

controversies.
Although many do not believe it, the wage gap between men and women still exists. “Regardless of her education, her occupation, her race, or her age, a full time working woman (getting the median wage for woman of that group) is paid less than a full time working man (getting the median wage for men of that group)” (Miller). As shocking as it may be, oppression at a minimal rate occurs in the work force. “In September 2015, the US Census Bureau released its findings that women working full time made 78.6 percent as much as men did in 2014” (Quezzaire, Finley). Even if a woman has the same qualifying factors she could be paid less simply for her gender. “In two studies when participants reviewed resumes that were identical except for the names, the ones with male names were more likely to be offered a job” (Miller). Modern day feminists and activists focus on equal pay as a major goal. People need to realize the problems in order to fix them and reach the equality promised to women.
Granted, a few arguments from anti-feminism or more conservative group have valid points. “Freedom to choose whether or not to have a baby is considered by most women's rights advocates a woman's rights issue, while opponents argue that a woman's right to choose is overridden by the interest of the child she carries” (Quezzaire, Finley). In some circumstances, having an abortion could be selfish on the part of the mother and her child’s future. Personal beliefs show reasonability in the cases of objection to abortion or birth control. “Well, some pharmacist have religious or moral objections to birth-control” (Johansen 116). In other words, some opinions make sense but the interests of women as a whole override them.
On the other hand, Reproductive rights and equal pay should always be a goal of women’s rights advocates.

When someone believes reproductive rights should be gotten rid of or that women should not be paid equally, they indicate oppressive standpoints against women. “…The right to health requires the removal of all barriers interfering with access to health services, education and information, including in the area of sexual and reproductive health” (“Safe and Legal Abortion…). The road to complete equality has come a long way and intends to continue to do so. “The right to abortion and contraception was a basic tenet of the women's liberation movement in his early years, along with the right to equal pay and equal job opportunities” (Furedi 85). In order for the growth of women’s justice to soar, obstacles and negative mindsets must be

conquered.
With everything said, women should be allowed to attain reproductive rights and equal pay because their right as a human includes the ability to control one’s own health and have equal job opportunities. Even online observations show that 57% of people support the right to abortion whereas 47% do not (“History and Debate of Abortion”). Reproductive rights for women need protection for the same reason equal pay needs to be addressed.