Reproductive Rights and Implications Abroad

Presenter

Megan M. Di Giovanni

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Robert Paul Musgrave, Department of Political Science, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 5, 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board A95, Campus Center Auditorium, Row 5 (A81-A100) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Why are gendered rights not considered “core” to the liberal international order? In recent years, female reproductive rights, defined as the woman’s right to control their own body and reproductive organs, including the right to abortion, have been moving in an international progressive direction. However, some countries, like the United States and Poland, began to backslide regarding the human right to choose. 

The lack of response to this backsliding from international players is the root of my project. When some rights, such as the freedom of speech or freedom of the press, are restricted, a chorus of voices will denounce those changes. However, other rights, such as the right to choose, are hotly debated and more restricted than the political rights listed. Yet international condemnation regarding this state of affairs is far more muted.  

If abortion rights were core to the liberal order, then, one would hypothesize that international organizations would hold others accountable regarding the backsliding of liberal policy regarding female reproductive rights. The juxtaposition leads to a puzzle: Why are gendered rights not core to liberal international relations? If the international community can help stop the restriction of gendered rights, what would that mean for women and girls around the world?  If the right to choose continues to be stripped back, there could be major repercussions for other minority groups, such as the LGBTQIA+ community. 

In this paper, I argue that international backsliding proves gendered rights are not valued and therefore are always at risk of being restricted.  

Keywords

Abortion rights, International Relations , International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) , Liberal International Order , Gender policy

Research Area

Political Science and Government

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