Resources for "If You Care About..., Then You Should Care About Reproductive Justice" Series

The National Women’s Law Center and Law Students for Reproductive Justice have developed a series of webinars for law students that look at the intersection of reproductive justice with other progressive advocacy issues. We hope that through this series, students will start thinking of the social justice and human rights underpinnings of progressive work, and how we can all work together toward our common goals.

Below are archived webinars, as well as factsheets on each issue.

If You Really Care about Criminal Justice...

Working towards a more progressive criminal justice system is an important part of furthering the cause of reproductive justice. A criminal justice system that makes communities safer, protects personal liberty and limits abuses of power by governmental authorities will also further the cause of reproductive justice. Those who support a progressive criminal justice system will identify several common areas of advocacy with the Reproductive Justice movement. These include: opposing the criminalization of behaviors that are closely tied to unmet social service needs, especially mental health and substance abuse services; rejecting mass incarceration and the use of the criminal justice system to address problems better addressed through adequate social services; ensuring procedural safeguards, discouraging selective prosecution and protecting the constitutional rights of the accused; and advocating for fair, appropriate and humane sentences for those convicted of crimes.

Fact Sheet (November 2, 2011) found here.

Webinar (October 26, 2011) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Lynn Paltrow (National Advocates for Pregnant Women)

If You Really Care about Educational Equity...

Advancing reproductive justice will help to eliminate pervasive racial disparities in educational attainment by valuing the talents and abilities of those students who chose to become parents. Improving educational opportunities, especially for those in under-funded schools in marginalized neighborhoods, will also make parenting less desirable for teens whose odds of escaping poverty are not made any worse by having a child.

Fact Sheet (March 24, 2010 ) found here.

Webinar (October 20, 2010) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Lara Kaufmann (Senior Counsel, NWLC)

If You Really Care about Environmental Justice...

Environmental Justice, like reproductive justice, incorporates a social justice framework. It seeks to reduce the inequitable environmental burdens born by People of Color, women, indigenous communities and those living in economically disadvantaged areas or developing nations. Reproductive justice also demands that the decision of whether or not to have a child and the right to raise that child not be impeded by the inequitable distribution of environmental burdens. In advancing Reproductive Justice, you are demanding that individuals in marginalized communities not be forced to make reproductive decisions based on the fact that their communities suffer disparate exposure to environmental hazards.

Fact Sheet (March 26, 2010) found here.

Webinar (October 27, 2010) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Kimberly Inez McGuire (Senior Programs and Policy Associate, Reproductive Health Technologies Project)

Webinar (October 12, 2011) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Kimberly Inez McGuire & Morganne Rosenhaus (Reproductive Health Technologies Project)

If You Really Care about LGBT Rights...

LGBT rights refer to the rights of sexual minorities. Included in this group are people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender. Like RJ, the LGBT rights movement emphasizes a person’s right to control their own reproductive destiny as well as the freedom and legitimacy of sexual activity without reproduction as a desired outcome. By advancing RJ, you are working towards creating a society that fully recognizes and respects the reproductive and sexual rights of all.

Fact Sheet (October 11, 2011) found here.

Webinar (October 5, 2011) found here. Speakers: Ashland Johnson (Fellow, NWLC) and Maya Rupert (Federal Policy Director, National Center for Lesbian Rights)

If You Really Care About Intimate Partner Violence...

A society that respects the sexual and procreative rights of each individual will be a society with less violence against women, and that provides greater support to those who experience violence within their relationships. By advancing reproductive justice, you are working toward the elimination of violence against women.

Fact Sheet (March 30, 2010) found here.

Webinar (October 6, 2010) found here. Speaker: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC)

If You Really Care about Racial Discrimination...

RJ understands that Women of Color will continue to be denied the power to control their reproductive lives until racial discrimination is eradicated. Racial discrimination has robbed Women of Color of their agency to decide if, when and how to raise their children and given that decision-making power to others, including the government, to wield over them.

Fact Sheet (February 22, 2010) found here.

Webinar (October 13, 2010) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Heidi Williamson (National Advocacy Coordinator, SisterSong)

Webinar (October 19, 2011) found here. Speakers: Jill Morrison (Senior Counsel, NWLC) and Loretta Ross (National Coordinator, SisterSong)