Op-Ed: Championing Women in the Post-Dobbs Era of the Pro-life Movement

On the first anniversary of the landmark Dobbs decision, it is critical that we reflect on the lives that have been saved this year and redouble our efforts to champion all lives involved—mothers, fathers, and the unborn.   

In the 100 days following the life-saving Dobbs decision in June 2022, more than 65 abortion facilities around the Nation stopped performing abortions. In these same 100 days, more than 20 states enacted policies that protected women and children from the lies of an abortion industry that thrives on the mantra that the unborn are inhuman and that life only exists outside of the womb. These results show progress toward the main goal — greater protection of life in America through decreasing numbers of abortions — but there is more work to be done. 

While we have seen many pro-life wins in the past year, we have also seen threats to the culture of life we seek to implement in America. President Biden doubled down on making abortion more available last summer by signing two executive orders. One called for a significant expansion of access to chemical abortion and another promoted abortion tourism across state lines through Medicaid. The Biden-Harris Administration has also required health-related clinics receiving Title X funding to refer for abortions if requested. This dramatically limits the ability of pro-life pregnancy resource centers to receive funding for women’s resources, thus further promoting the misconception that abortion is healthcare. 

As we enter year two of the post-Dobbs era, it is essential that we develop and support public policy that builds a culture of life and strives to see less abortion. The American people clearly support policies recognizing that two lives are at stake in all conversations about abortion. In a recent Scott Rasmussen national poll of 1000 voters, 65% of voters were in favor of a three-day waiting period for women between the informational visit and the abortion appointment, and 71% were in favor of parental notification if a teenager seeks an abortion. Other results indicated that 70% favor investing in resources for women facing unplanned pregnancies, and 61% favor government programming encouraging women in difficult situations to give birth rather than abort the child. Policies with women and the unborn at the center are ways that the pro-life movement can make a lasting impact for generations to come. 

Everyone has a role in creating the culture of life we seek in America, including policymakers, community leaders, churches, and individuals. We can all take action by supporting local pregnancy centers that are on the front lines of caring for pregnant mothers and babies, purchasing baby care items to donate to mothers in need, volunteering our time at pregnancy centers to serve clients and their families, and educating our communities on the innate value that we each have as human beings.  

While we continue to support efforts to protect the rights of the unborn, we must also seek opportunities to champion mothers as they courageously choose life and fathers as they support their families. We must also remember that there are women who have had abortions and are told by Planned Parenthood that they should feel no pain or emotion regarding their past abortions. These mothers need open arms, not ridicule. Compassion, not judgment. Resources, not self-help advice. The pro-life movement must be ready to promote access to counseling services, grief resources, and support communities so that these women can move forward post-abortion. 

In a post-Roe world, we have more opportunities than ever to champion mothers, fathers, and the unborn. It will take all of us to create a culture of life in America. Together, we will continue progressing toward our primary goal: fewer abortions.