By Kate Lord, Director of Advocacy & Communications
““(Girls) should also have access to abortion and to proper healthcare, without criticism or shame.””
When girls came together to write The Global Girls’ Bill of Rights, they made sure to include the need to access reproductive healthcare, including abortion. As the co-organizers of the bill, we stand by their choice.
Global Girls’ Bill of Rights Number Five.
At She’s the First, we support women and girls’ right to bodily autonomy, our right to access critical healthcare, and our right to privacy.
We believe that every girl has the right to choose her own future. When governments restrict access to healthcare, girls’ lives are not only impacted in the here and now; these regulations also drastically narrow girls’ ability to choose their own path as they grow into adulthood.
Below, learn about current U.S. legislation officially endorsed by She’s the First on the topic of sexual and reproductive health and rights:
Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act
We know overturning Roe v. Wade has had a global impact. To mitigate the harm of this decision globally, the U.S. must repeal archaic policies that restrict access to essential healthcare services, including abortion.
For the past 50 years, the Helms Amendment has prohibited the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion services. The Helms Amendment was introduced in direct response to Roe v. Wade to oppress and control the bodies of people with uteruses across the globe using the power of U.S. funding.
It's time to end Helms.
The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, introduced by Senator Cory Booker and supported by many passionate advocates, seeks to repeal the Helms Amendment. This outdated policy restricts the use of U.S. foreign assistance funds for safe abortion services.
By repealing the Helms Amendment, this act would allow individuals across the globe, especially those in the Global South, to exercise their reproductive rights and access the care they deserve.
At She's the First, we are proud to stand behind this critical legislation that aims to ensure access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services globally. We stand with a diverse coalition of organizations who have also endorsed the act, including the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, Ipas, Oxfam, and Women Deliver.
“She’s the First supports the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act because all pregnant people should be able to access the care they need. This legislation would repeal the Helms Amendment, allowing U.S. foreign aid to fund life-saving health care. We support everyone’s right to bodily autonomy, critical health care, and privacy. To create a world where girls are respected, we must establish policies that protect their rights.”
-Tammy Tibbetts, She's the First Co-Founder & CEO
Join us in calling on Congress to pass the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act and support the rights of all people, regardless of geography, to access safe and comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. Together, we can create a world where everyone has the agency to make choices that shape their lives. Learn more about the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act here: https://repealhelms.org/
Tell your legislators to co-sponsor the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act!
Global H.E.R Act
The Global H.E.R Act is crucial legislation aimed at preventing future presidents from imposing the Global Gag Rule. This rule cuts family-planning funding to international NGOs (non-governmental organizations) that engage in any abortion-related work, including referrals to clinics, patient counseling, or advocacy for legal reform. To be clear: American money never funded abortions (the Helms Amendment prevents that—see above); funding for those programs came from other sources, but organizations were refused U.S. funding for family planning regardless. By repealing this harmful rule, the Global H.E.R Act seeks to protect the health and rights of women and girls around the world.
At She's the First, we believe that every girl deserves access to education, healthcare, and the freedom to make choices about her own body. By supporting the Global H.E.R Act, She's the First aims to create a world where girls have the resources, opportunities, and rights they need to thrive.
The Senate must pass the “Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights Act,” sponsored by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, a Foreign Services Committee member. The act will permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule, allowing foreign NGOs to receive U.S. funding despite any health services they offer, including any abortion-related services.
She’s the First has already endorsed this bill, but you can too. Please email your members of Congress to demand that they pass the Global H.E.R. Act quickly.
Join us in championing the Global H.E.R Act and advocating for the rights of women and girls worldwide. Together, we can make a lasting impact and create a world where every girl can achieve her full potential!
Tell your legislators to co-sponsor the Global H.E.R. Act!