A trio of abortion rights groups launched a program Tuesday urging teen girls and young women who have had an abortion to speak up about their procedure and to reject the “culture of stigma” about it.
The Youth Testify program is sponsored by Advocates for Youth, the National Network of Abortion Funds, and the 1 in 3 Campaign. The website hopes to shift the narrative about abortion among teens and young women by spotlighting the stories of 12 women – ages 17-24 – who had an abortion.
“Young people need to have a voice in conversations surrounding bodies, reproductive health, and abortion access because young people, as much as any of us, are capable of making the decisions they feel are best for them,” the Youth Testify website says.
Significantly, the program rejects parental involvement in the decision.
“It is crucial that young people are supported in their ability to speak out against the dangers of parental involvement laws, and the impact the restrictions have on young people’s ability to access an abortion, particularly when combined with other financial and logistical barriers to abortion,” said Bracey Sherman, senior public affairs manager for the National Network of Abortion Funds.
One member of the program, 18-year-old Lucy of Dallas, said she wishes “all young people” knew that “abortion is our right” and that “no one should tell us how…
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