Exploring Reproductive Justice.

So, what is Reproductive Justice (RJ)? Sistersong defines reproductive justice as a ‘human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities.’ It is the combination of reproductive rights and social justice. Indigenous women, women of colour and trans folks have always fought for bodily autonomy but they were almost always left out of the mainstream pro-choice movement dialogues and their issues were, for the most part, not addressed. RJ was first coined in 1994, after the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, where delegates from around the world agreed to use the term reproductive justice as it is a holistic, intersectional term. The group Women of African Descent for Reproductive Justice was formed after the conference. In 1997 Sistersong was formed creating a national, multi-ethnic movement in the US. Loretta Ross, one of the first founders of Sistersong, describes reproductive justice as an intersectional inclusive framework, that includes access to abortion and birth control and discusses other human rights issues- like white supremacy, HIV-AIDS education and prevention and discrimination. RJ is about reproductive health services being legal and accessible to all and without barriers, like- waiting lists, invasive ultrasound, navigating through protesters, or required parental consent. It is also having access to safe and secure housing for all, quality education, free and safe access to health care, prison reforms, comprehensive sex and reproductive education, safe and certified reproductive assistant procedures like IVF and administration of hormones, etc. Reproductive healthcare should be available without any judgment or discrimination of any kind. It should be available to non-binary and trans people must also have access to safe and quality reproductive, sexual and gender-confirming healthcare without shame or stigma 

Reproductive justice requires collaborative support, understanding and effort. There is a need to create awareness and bring a change. That is what GRR!<3, Guelphites for Repro Rights is all about. GRR!<3 helps create awareness about all these issues in society and how to take action to change things. So, if this is something that is important to you and something you are passionate about or just want to learn more about it, check out the facebook page as well as come over to GRCGED and let’s talk about it. There are going to be many discussions starting next semesters, so look out for them!!!!!!!!