Paul Ryan on Women’s Rights: Ban, Defund, Outlaw

Afua Nuro & Laura Nayibi Arias, Staff Writer & Culture Editor

   Paul Ryan, Mitt Romney’s vice presidential running mate, is known to many women’s rights advocates as a man with strong opinions against women’s reproductive rights. Opposing all situations through which abortion would occur, there is much debate about his political views as Election Day approaches. According to Democracy Now, an independent global news source, Ryan believes women should not receive abortions under any circumstances, even in the cases of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy is harmful to the woman’s health.

   Ryan also voted for the “Protect Life Act,” which allowed hospitals receiving federal funds to deny abortions to women or withhold referrals to other hospitals. Throughout Ryan’s political career, he has co-sponsored a total of 38 anti-abortion measures. Ryan was the co-sponsor of the Sanctity of Human Life Act, which was an amendment passed for the purpose of defunding Planned Parenthood.

   There are many people who advocate for women’s rights who are not too happy with Ryan’s views: “For Congressman Ryan to think he’s the one that should be making the decision to take healthcare options away from women, that’s very troubling to us,” says Nicole Safar, a public policy director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, in a segment on Democracy Now.

   Ryan’s views on women’s reproductive rights threaten the health of women. With his goal to defund health clinics such as Planned Parenthood and ban abortion among other things concerning women today, he is showing no mercy to women who get ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, STI tests, contraception, etc. Working alongside Romney, if they win the presidency, Ryan hopes to achieve his goals.

   So what reproductive options does this allow the nearly 160 million women in America? It seems to be a trend that men are making decisions on women’s rights rather than women themselves.

   As the elections approach and many of us feel pressured to vote, think about the candidates and what they do or do not offer and how this affects you.