Democrats Urge Arizona to Support Women and Parents after New Ruling on Abortion

Phoenix, AZ - April 9, 2024 – Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) and Democrats for Life of Arizona urge state leaders and lawmakers to enact modern and supportive policies for pregnant women and parents in light of the recent Arizona State Supreme Court ruling concerning a Civil War-era law.

“With all the noise around this ruling and the legality of abortion, we are silencing the voices of those who are underserved and underprivileged. Women and parents have always needed support to carry, bear, and raise their children, and they still need it now,” said Kristen Day, Executive Director of DFLA. “We often discuss how abortion limitations may pressure women into carrying pregnancies they may not want. It’s also worth discussing how financial insecurity can pressure women into abortions they may not want.”

Over 75% of women who seek abortion are financially insecure, according to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute. “I used to work with abortion-minded women directly, and they felt like abortion was their only option due to financial insecurity. They wanted to carry their child to term, but they experienced a lack of resources when it came to pregnancy and parenting,” added Jess Meeth, a member of Democrats for Life of Arizona. “As Democrats, we can and should prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. This includes a baby in the womb. But it doesn’t end there. We must be pro-life for the Whole Life. There is a huge need for programs like paid parental leave and holistic healthcare. We have a civic and ethical duty to remove barriers around pregnancy and parenting, especially economic ones.”

In addition to protecting all human life from conception to natural death, DFLA calls on Arizona to make pregnancy and parenting programs more affordable, available, and accessible to ensure an equal opportunity for women and parents to carry, give birth to, and raise their children.

“Lastly, we don’t need a pre-modern statute to sanction the State to punish women and their doctors. We must ensure doctors know and can provide proven medical procedures that will give a woman and her baby the best options to save both lives,” said Day. “Doctors who oppose abortion have shown we don’t need to choose one or the other, and there are ways to protect both lives. The government must make those options clear and available to doctors who are unaware of medical advancements.”

Arizona entered the Union in 1912. A century on, let’s make sure we serve, protect, and provide for her citizens now and into her bright future.

DEMOCRAT FOR LIFE OF AMERICA

Democrats For Life of America was founded in 1999 to educate Democrats at the local, state, and national levels on pro-life policies, promote a pro-life plank in the Democratic Party platform and support legislation that fosters respect for all human life. Democrats for Life of America is one of over 200 member organizations of Consistent Life, an international network for peace, justice, and life.