Health Finance Institute supports the right of women to exercise their human rights. These rights include deciding, without fear or restriction, freedom of speech, the number and spacing of their children, and access to information, education, and healthcare services.

As stated by the UN, when safe and legal access to abortion is restricted, women are forced to resort to less-safe methods, too often with damaging or disastrous results—especially for women affected by poverty or marginalization. In addition, a large body of evidence shows that restricting access to safe abortion services does not significantly reduce the number of abortions. Yet, it reduces the number of safe abortions and harms women’s health and increases maternal mortality rates.

Therefore, from an evidence-based perspective, the Supreme Court decision will lead to a net negative impact on the health and survival of women – antithetical to our mission at the Health Finance Institute.

Moreover, the United States already has the worst maternal mortality rate in the industrialized world, and the Court’s decision will further exacerbate inequities in healthcare in the US, as those bans will most heavily impact Black communities, Indigenous communities, people of color, young people, and people experiencing financial hardship.

Health Finance Institute stands with other global organizations, such as UN Women – remaining steadfast in our determination to contribute to and support programs that ensure that the rights of women and girls are fully observed and enjoyed worldwide.

We look forward to continued evidence-based engagement with our partners everywhere in support of rapid progress towards universal enjoyment of universal rights.