NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Leads Prevention First Day of Action
Calls on Legislators to Prevent Unintended Pregnancy and Reduce Need for Abortion
Madison, WI - NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, the political arm of the state's reproductive rights movement, is leading hundreds of activists in local activities today to promote its Prevention First: Challenge for a Common Ground agenda.
Part of a nationwide Day of Action, pro-choice activists are lobbying their legislators in the capitol, participating in public education seminars, holding letter-writing campaigns, and raising awareness about the importance of prevention in promoting womenˇ¦s health. Student groups at UW-Green Bay,UW-Eau Claire, UW-Madison, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Platteville, Beloit College, Alverno College,Carthage College, and community groups around the state will be holding educational events for activists and volunteers.
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsinˇ¦s Prevention First challenge focuses on reducing the need for abortion by preventing unintended pregnancy. Activists are lobbying their legislators on several bills:
Oppose Repeal of the Healthy Women Program (SB 552/AB 991) which would cost taxpayers
$37 million and result in an additional 3,300 teen births over 5 years by depriving low-income young women of access to STI testing and treatment, cancer screening, and birth control
Support Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Act (SB 166/AB 305) to ensure that all rape victims receive AMA-standard care in Wisconsin emergency rooms, including information about and access to emergency contraception, which is highly effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 120 hours of sexual assault
Support Responsible Sex Education Act (SB 340/AB 690) to ensure that all sex education programs provide medically accurate, comprehensive information about abstinence as well as preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS through contraceptive use
"With the recent push to ban abortion in twelve states, preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion is even more important to protecting the health of women and families,¨ said Kelda Helen Roys, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. "We hope those who seek to make abortion more difficult and dangerous will instead work with us to make abortion less necessary.¨
Wisconsin has a pre-Roe v. Wade abortion ban still on the books, which makes abortion a felony even in the case of rape. If Roe's protections were eviscerated, Wisconsin women and doctors could be imprisoned and fined for having or providing abortions.
Governor Jim Doyle issued a statement in support of the Prevention First day of action, saying ˇ§I commend NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin for their tireless efforts to improve women's health and expand access to preventative care.¨
NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and its national partner, NARAL Pro-Choice America, have placed an ad in USA Today to raise awareness about Prevention First: Challenge for Common Ground.
Contact: Kelda Helen Roys, (608) 213-4502
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