On September 13, 2006, the Center for American Progress released a report titled More than a Choice: A Progressive Vision for Reproductive Health and Rights. This report articulates a new vision and a new proactive approach to reproductive rights and the fight for reproductive justice and freedom. The report aims to “expand the definition of reproductive rights by embracing equally the rights to have or not have children—with a partner of one’s choosing and in a time and manner that honors one’s conscience and life circumstances—and by placing abortion within its appropriate context as one of a wide range of important reproductive rights issues.”¹ In addition, the report encourages new methods and policies essential to regaining support from the American public in light of constant attacks from the far right. It also outlines how the reproductive rights and health agenda is critical to the larger progressive agenda.

The report puts forth four basic cornerstones that the Center for American Progress, a nonpartisan research and educational institute,² sees as critical to creating a comprehensive approach to reproductive health and rights. These four cornerstones are:

•   the ability to become a parent and to parent with dignity;
•   the ability to determine whether or when to have children;
•   the ability to have a healthy pregnancy; and,
•   the ability to have healthy and safe families and relationships³

The report details how these cornerstones, and the values and policy recommendations within them—including education, quality medical care, a safe environment, schools, child care, reliable education about sexuality, and access to safe and affordable contraception, among others—intersect, overlap, and reinforce one another.

“In a political atmosphere that is increasingly hostile to reproductive health services, it is imperative for progressives to articulate an integrated and comprehensive agenda for reproductive health and rights that reflects our commitment to freedom, opportunity, justice, and human dignity,” said Jessica Arons, director of the Women’s Health and Rights Program at the Center for American Progress and author of the report. “We hope that More than a Choice will broaden the current discourse beyond the stagnant abortion debate and will be a new vision for integrating reproductive freedom into the larger progressive agenda,” Arons continued.

To view a full copy of More than a Choice: A Progressive Vision for Reproductive Health and Rights, please go to: http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=2060837

References