Thread by @monaeltahawy

In 1996, I had an “illegal” abortion in Egypt and in 2000, I had a “legal” abortion in the US. I use inverted commas because the State can fuck off with its opinions about what I can and can’t do with my uterus. That control belongs to me. feministgiant.com/p/abortion-is-… #AbortionRights

I was not raped. I was not sick. The pregnancies did not threaten my life. I did not already have children. I just did not want to be pregnant.

I am glad I had my abortions. They gave me the freedom to live the life I have chosen feministgiant.com/p/essay-lies-s… #AbortionIsHealthcare

For as long as patriarchy can shroud abortion with silence, it will continue to stamp it in shame. So I broke my silence to break free of shame. 📷 @rerutled

I reject the State’s power to declare what is “legal” or “illegal” when it comes to my abortions.

“There was a philosophical obligation on our part. on somebody’s part, to disrespect a law that disrespected women,” a member of the Jane network feministgiant.com/p/essay-disres…

The Janes were an underground network of women who used the codename Jane to provide safe, “illegal,” and affordable abortions in Chicago before the Supreme Court passed Roe v Wade in January, 1973.

The Jane network provided abortion to an estimated 11,000 women.

“I learned that sometimes you have to stand up to illegitimate authority and sometimes there are unjust laws that need to be challenged,” Heather Booth, of Jane, says in the film.
feministgiant.com/p/essay-disres…

All my essays are free to read and share.

Subscribe--it's free, no paywall or ads.

If you can pay, it helps to keep it free

feministgiant.com