Meghan Markle is speaking up against the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe V. Wade.
On Friday, June 24, the supreme court reversed the 1973 landmark case that gave women federal rights to access safe and legal abortion.
The new ruling allows states to be solely in charge of outlawing abortion and so far 26 states are likely to ban abortion with five states already implementing anti-abortion laws.
Meghan Markle Slams Roe V. Wade Reversal
During a Vogue interview with Gloria Steinem and award-winning journalist Jessica Yellin, the Duchess of Sussex touched on the topic.
“This is having a very real impact on women’s bodies and lives starting now. Women are already sharing stories of how their physical safety is being put in danger. Women with resources will travel to get an abortion, those without might attempt to give themselves one at tremendous risk, ” Meghan shared.
The former actress explained that the ruling would majorly affect women without privileges as they might be subject to sourcing abortion pills from unregulated pharmacies. Also, pregnant women who have medical emergencies would have to be at the mercy of doctors and lawyers to determine if their lives are worth it.
Lamenting the oppressive rule, Meghan said, “What does this tell women? It tells us that our physical safety doesn’t matter, and as a result that we don’t matter. But we do. Women matter..”
Nevertheless, the duchess remained hopeful that the battle isn’t over as she believes the world can channel the anger felt “into something that makes a difference.”
“That’s what activism is. It’s about how we show up,” commented Meghan.
The “Suits” alum also touched on the fact that most of the states that have effectively banned abortion are those where the maternal and infant mortality rate is high for Black women.
“These issues are systemic, interconnected, and preventable,” Meghan explained. “Women of color and especially Black women are most impacted by these decisions because most of us don’t have the same access to health care, economic opportunity, mental health resources…the list goes on. It’s difficult to overstate what this decision is going to do to these communities.”
The California native pointed out that the overturning of Roe V. Wade was “a blueprint for reversing rights.”
Addressing the claims of Justice Clarence Thomas looking to “correct” other landmark cases that speak to same-sex marriage and same-sex relationships, the mother-of-two said, “It feels like the tip of the iceberg and is part of why people feel so scared. We have to channel that fear into action.”
As for what Meghan believes people can do to fight the discriminatory law, she said, “We can start this November in the midterms. I know hearing that feels so repetitive, but we have to vote, every time, from local elections to state and national elections.”
The Duchess Of Sussex Reflected On Her Miscarriage & Motherhood
When asked what the topic of abortion and women’s health brings to mind, the 40-year-old reflected on the heartbreaking miscarriage she suffered in 2020.
As you might recall, in November 2020, Meghan wrote an op-ed for The New York Times where she revealed she endured a miscarriage.
“After changing his [Archie] diaper, I felt a sharp cramp. I dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm, the cheerful tune a stark contrast to my sense that something was not right. I knew, as I clutched my firstborn child, that I was losing my second,” Meghan wrote at the time.
Now, looking back at that painful moment in her interview with Vogue, Meghan said, ” I think about how fortunate I felt to be able to have both of my children. I know what it feels like to have a connection to what is growing inside of your body.”
She continued, “What happens with our bodies is so deeply personal, which can also lead to silence and stigma, even though so many of us deal with personal health crises. I know what miscarrying feels like, which I’ve talked about publicly. The more that we normalize conversations about the things that affect our lives and bodies, the more people are going to understand how necessary it is to have protections in place..”
Concluding her message, Meghan doubled down on her belief that nobody should be forced to keep a child they don’t want. She also urged men to join the fight.
“Men need to be vocal in this moment and beyond because these are decisions that affect relationships, families, and communities at large. They may target women, but the consequences impact all of us,” she commented.
Meghan remarked that her husband Prince Harry, who is a feminist, had a “guttural” reaction to the SCOTUS’ ruling.
