Basic Rights: What Every Person Should Know about Reproductive Justice

The core of reproductive justice lies beyond just choices– and no, not just choosing between oat milk or almond milk or whether pineapple belongs on pizza. It's about having the power to decide if you want children when you want them and how you want to raise them. It sounds like this is a simple, basic human right, doesn't it? Well, it should be. Sadly, for many people, these choices are heavily restricted by race, class, gender, sexuality, immigration status, and more. That's where reproductive justice comes in. 

Coined by Black women activists in the late 90s, the term "reproductive justice" goes beyond the basic "pro-choice vs. pro-life" debate. This framework connects reproductive rights to social justice issues, including but not limited to healthcare access, economic inequality, and social location. At its core, reproductive justice is about creating conditions where everyone has the opportunity to make their own choices about their reproductive lives. It's about ensuring people aren't forced into parenthood by restrictive policies or denied the opportunity to become parents because of systemic barriers. 

Let's break it down a little. The right to have children? This entails removing barriers such as forced sterilization (yes, this is still an issue in 2025). Or immigration policies that tear families apart. The right not to have children? That means having access to contraception, abortion, and adequate sex education. And finally, the right to parent in a safe environment? That's access to affordable housing and healthcare for everyone. 

All of this seems like something that would have been taken care of in our modern era in 2025. Wrong. Things are looking a bit different now, especially in a state like Arizona. Healthcare deserts (areas where there are no or not enough providers) mean that even if abortion is technically legal, people have to travel a long way to find a clinic, which is often too unrealistic for most people. On top of all that, it seems like America doesn't exactly love parents with harsh parental leave policies. 

Reproductive justice has been in the spotlight recently across national headlines, state legislatures, and social media platforms–and it’s not fading anytime soon. With shifting laws, Supreme Court rulings, and growing public awareness, the fight for reproductive rights is evolving in real-time. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 sent shockwaves across the country. This historical event sparked debates, protests, and even new state-level protections. Since 2022,  many marginalized communities continue bearing the brunt of these changes, facing increased restrictions and fewer options. Arizona has recently actually taken significant steps to protect abortion rights. On March 5, 2025, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge permanently blocked the state’s 15-week abortion ban, declaring it unconstitutional under the new amendment. This shift underscores the dynamic nature of reproductive rights legislation and highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure reproductive justice in Arizona.

Clearly, reproductive justice is fundamental. It's not just about abortion; it's about recognizing that bodily autonomy is a fundamental human right. Although the media often simplifies the conversation around reproductive justice, reproductive justice is fundamentally tied to other issues, including economic stability and environmental justice. Reproductive justice is ultimately about understanding that without reproductive justice, equality is just a pipe dream. 

Sources:

Momentum , L. (n.d.). Legal momentum. Reproductive Justice | Legal Momentum. https://www.legalmomentum.org/reproductive-justice#:~:text=We%20use%20the%20power%20of,a%20safe%20and%20sustainable%20community*. 

Onwuachi-Saunders, C., Dang, Q. P., & Murray, J. (2019). Reproductive Rights, reproductive justice: Redefining challenges to create Optimal Health for all women. Journal of healthcare, science and the humanities. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9930478/ 

Reproductive justice - in our own voice. In Our Own Voice - National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda. (2025, February 3). https://blackrj.org/our-causes/reproductive-justice/