The president of National Abortion Rights Action League, Nancy Keenan, gives a strong speech where she advocated for women’s reproductive justice. She believes that women should have access to family planning methods. This means that she refutes the idea of women being limited by certain measures such as abolishing abortion and family planning methods. Also, Keenan brings up past records of both Ryan and Romney voting against women joining military (Harson 15). This makes it clear to the audience, which is mainly women, that the former presidential candidates do not support gender equality. This paper will show that the sole purpose of Keenan’s speech is for women to be recognized in America through not only taking away their reproductive rights but also taking away their general rights and freedom.
Women are often undermined because of their gender and the embedded stereotypes created in the society. In the past, women were not allowed to work because the society believed their roles were to stay in the households. This means that they had no rights to work or get an education. However, through the enactment of the Bill of Rights that outlines people’s rights, women can now join the labor force and gain a higher education as the men. Given that the two former presidential candidates oppose some women rights such as the right to choose Planned Parenthood and abortion. Keenan speech insists that women in America should have a right to choose and access healthcare as they want especially during emergency.
Keenan also points out that bills have been passed to refute the lifesaving abortion care that saves the life of the mother in a complicated birth. These bills do not take into account that the doctors ought to abort the baby in order to save the mother’s life. Incase these bills would pass and become legislated; many women would lose their lives because any doctor that conducts an abortion may be sentenced regardless of conducting an emergency lifesaving abortion (Harson 17). Thus, Keenan champions the importance of women having freedom to choose an abortion or not.
Also, the right to choose is an important element to an individual because one is exercising their rights. Keenan takes into account that women may be raped and get pregnant. This means that one has to wrestle with their religious and moral beliefs having to decide whether to keep the baby or not because abortion is a grey zone. This indicates that Keenan wants women to enjoy the right to choose abortion and Planned Parenthood. In addition, the hospitals should have family planning service ready for women who may need them. This shows that Keenan does not like the restrictive policies that the society want to impose on women because of their gender. Keenan wants American women to enjoy their individual freedom.
Though Ryan and Romney may have voted for laws that diminish women rights, they conversely validate abortion in military healthcare. It is interesting that though Ryan and Romney may oppose general women rights, they support the abortion care in the military hospitals through using their funds to support the program. This shows that the presidential candidates are not transparent to the American people.
Given that Keenan recognizes that the head of state has more power and authority in the whole country, he or she has the power to diminish people’s rights and choices. This means that Keenan is not only afraid that women’s reproductive justice may be withdrawn but also the fact that the president may diminish the overall women rights. Thus, Keenan is creating awareness among women to not elect presidential candidates who are a time bomb to disparaging women rights and freedoms. This indicates that Keenan is aware of dangers in choosing a president who does not support the freedom of women because he or she can pass certain laws that deprive the rights of women in the whole country. Thus, Keenan press release is an awareness speech directed to women so that they can make a wise choice during presidential election regarding who will take away their rights or who will defend and protect their rights.
Over the years, women have fought for gender equality in this country because they have always been looked down upon by the greater society. For example, Keenan points out that both Ryan and Romney have voted to bills that advocate for women not to join the military. This means that that the two former presidential aspirants believe that women cannot fight in combat and that women are weak and inferior. This demonstrates that the two candidates are not willing to joining the gender equality train that supports women in America. Instead, they are supporting that the little individual rights women have, should be chipped off. Though we are in the 21st century, America is yet to achieve gender equality (Harson 20). Hence, taking away the achieved women rights do not help in the ongoing war of equal opportunities between both genders.
In addition, Keenan points out a paradox regarding the fact that the US goes over-seas to defend the human rights of other individuals as part and parcel of the foreign policy yet, the country cannot foresee the need for women to have equal rights as men. Women in America are being depraved off their rights yet; some people in the congress are willing to vote these laws. Keenan makes an important point that the US should not only fight for human rights overseas but should start the charity at home. Women need to enjoy the right to choose anything they want in America because it is a democratic country.
NARAL is an institution that represents and advocates for women rights, which is important. This means that NARAL advocates for women rights to access and receive abortion. When a powerful institution like NARAL fights for women rights through lobbying and doing a press release, it more efficient compared to individual women fighting for their rights against social institutions like the government. NARAL also represents the rights of women who are marginalized and live in the rural areas where they can hardly access social amenities like the healthcare. Given that institutions like NARAL can lobby and influence the laws and bills passed in the congress, it has the power to influence majority of individuals who advocate for women rights. Thus, Keenan is a huge supplement in defending women rights and freedom.
In conclusion, it is clear that Keenan was advocating for women rights through making people aware that the former presidential candidates would disparage women freedom and rights. Keenan points out that Planned Parenthood and abortion should be a woman’s choice and that should not be taken away. Diminishing these rights would mean that women cannot receive emergency lifesaving operation to save the mother from dying. Keenan also points out that the presidential candidates cannot be trusted because they support the military abortion care with their funds despite them voting against the right of women to abort. This indicates that they are not transparent to the American people. In addition, Keenan warns that American people that the president ought to have the power and authority to impose and laws. Thus, people should be careful when voting because America does not need someone that will undermine the human rights and freedoms, especially women.
Works Cited
Harson, Arthur. "Abortion coverage battle on health bill continues." AP Online [New York] 19 Dec. 2009: 15-20. Print.
