Reproductive justice, a term coined by the Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice in 1994, is foundational to gender equality. It requires that every individual be able to make their own choices about their reproductive life, and have access to reproductive health services. Reproductive justice also requires that all people have the ability to raise children in safe and healthy environments. It encompasses not only reproductive rights, but also the social, economic, and political conditions that impact whether and how individuals are able to parent with dignity.
LEAF’s reproductive justice advocacy focuses on ensuring that women and those facing gender-based discrimination are able to make their own decisions about their reproductive lives, and have access to the resources and supports they need to be able to do so.
From helping launch a constitutional challenge to bring abortion access to Prince Edward Island to supporting policies aimed at equitable access to reproductive health services, LEAF has worked hard to ensure that equality rights on paper translate into meaningful outcomes in real life. We will continue to push for reproductive justice in our work moving forward.
