Discussing women's reproductive rights
On Feb. 18, the Identities Project hosted an open and honest panel discussing women’s reproductive rights in the Nursing Center. The panel included junior nursing student Alyssa Weiss, Religious Studies professor Sr. Laura Nettles, Anna Kivi from New Horizons, Jen Meyers from Mayo Clinic Health System, and Ben Gibson, a senior biology student.
The discussion opened with some definitions of the terms, Pro-life, Whole-life, and Pro-choice. These are definitions that are known to vary in today’s society, so it was crucial that each panelist explained their personal viewpoint before the rest of the discussion began.
Sr. Laura Nettles began by explaining the Catholic church’s stance in regarding abortion, birth control, and reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF). She also discussed the role
of society and how important it is that we respond and care for those facing these difficult issues. One idea she emphasized strongly was the fact that the church believes that Pro-life means supporting life from birth all the way to death, not just anti-abortion. It means supporting women and the children after they are born and being there throughout the entire lifespan.
Anna Kivi reviewed the history and laws of reproductive health and how those laws fit into today’s politics. She referenced the controversial Roe vs. Wade, the Hyde Amendment, and then explained some Wisconsin specific laws that require certain actions before a woman is allowed to get an abortion.
Jen Meyers discussed the connection between low socio-economic status and access to reproductive healthcare. Something as simple as having access or ability to afford transportation to get to the clinic or pharmacy to get birth control, or to a hospital to receive the necessary procedures and care to either carry a baby, or to terminate a pregnancy can be barriers to those in poverty. She also explained some of the risks associated with birth control methods, reproductive health procedures, and pregnancy itself.
Alyssa Weiss shared personal stories from her experience working at Birthright Pregnancy Center with women who are going through unplanned pregnancies. She emphasized the importance of listening and being empathetic to those in need and providing a non-judgmental environment. She stated that sometimes all that is needed is a helping hand to give women hope for their situations.
Ben Gibson talked about how we can address and discuss these controversial topics in an understanding way. “So often we talk and don’t listen…we find a lot more commonalities when you take the time to listen instead of simply talking at each other,” he said.
Rick Trietely concluded the discussion by thanking those in attendance for participating and remaining open minded in such a personal and controversial discussion and encouraged students and staff to continue exercising that understanding outlook in other aspects of life as well.