Women’s Rights in the Election Fight
People fear that this election will revolve only around women's rights and reproductive choice. I am ready for it to be so. It is essential for both conservatives and liberals, urban and rural residents, to prioritize the freedom of women in this election.
Instead of ignoring the genuine issues at stake, every concerned citizen, as well as all candidates and legislators, should openly address them, not just Democrats and activists. Those running for office should firmly support the rights of women from the outset instead of waiting and hedging their bets. Every moment of indecision, every life put in jeopardy by restrictive laws, is a grievous wrong. By all measures of common sense — let alone the ethical standards we claim to uphold — if our leaders can find any means to protect women’s health and rights without further delay, it is clearly their duty to do so.
Every interest of the opposition, every dollar spent on campaigns to roll back progress, every outdated belief, should be examined and challenged. How much more, then, is it incumbent upon us to support policies that grant women control over their own bodies, creating a more just and equitable society?
I therefore welcome the day when our government will recognize that these are not just women’s issues, but human rights issues. We talk about returning to a time when families were stronger and communities more cohesive, but what kind of strength and cohesion can there be when half our population is denied basic rights?
Conflict has persisted ever since laws were first enacted to regulate women’s bodies. When a legislature decrees what a woman can or cannot do with her life, her health, her future, it sparks the same struggle that we see today. This is only the latest manifestation of a long-standing battle.
No, we do not seek a return to the old conditions. We seek something better. We want a society where equality is real, where justice is the foundation of true peace. Under our current laws, women have been forced into situations where their rights and bodies are controlled by the state. We have watched as legislatures imposed restrictions that endanger women’s health and futures, just as once a nation imposed chains on human beings. It was lawmakers who created these conditions, and who continue to pass laws that strip away women’s autonomy. These same individuals have wielded influence over community institutions, from schools to religious organizations, and many women have found themselves complicit, often against their will, in a system that oppresses them. They have sat in silence as their rights were curtailed as if they had no voice, no vote, no power to resist. As women, we have been the majority in many civic and religious bodies, yet we have too often accepted the dictates of those who do not have our best interests at heart. We have allowed others to define what is moral and just, even when it contradicts our own lived experiences and the fundamental principle of equality for all. Now is the time for women to take on the responsibilities that are rightfully ours, to become the true educators and leaders we are meant to be.
We can no longer afford to be passive reflectors of the ambitions and prejudices of those in power. Had some been taught the value of every individual in society, we would not be fighting the same battles our foremothers fought. And so I call on all women to rise with purpose, to move forward as independent beings, accountable only to our own consciences and to the principles of justice. We must forget the conventional roles that have been imposed on us. We must speak our truths, make our own decisions, and act with the courage of our convictions. This is not just a political struggle; it is a moral one. And we are responsible for the future we create.
Let us be clear: this is not about politics as usual. This is about the fundamental rights of half our population. It’s about the future we want to build for our daughters and granddaughters. A future where they are not second-class citizens, but equal partners in shaping our society.
We’ve heard the arguments against women’s autonomy. They speak of tradition, of morality, of the sanctity of life. But what is moral about forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy against her will? What is sacred about denying her the right to make decisions about her own body and future?
The opposition claims to champion family values, but what kind of family values are these that would strip away a woman’s agency and reduce her to a vessel? True family values recognize the dignity and worth of every family member, including — especially — the women who are often the backbone of those families.
We stand at a crossroads. The path behind us is littered with the broken dreams and shattered lives of women who were denied their basic rights. The path ahead is uncertain, but it holds the promise of true equality and justice.
To those who say this focus on women’s rights is divisive, I say: what could be more unifying than ensuring that all members of our society are treated with equal respect and dignity? What could be more American than upholding the principles of individual liberty and self-determination for all?
This is not just a women’s issue. It’s a human rights issue. It’s an economic issue. It’s a social justice issue. And it’s time for all of us — men and women, young and old, from every walk of life — to stand up and be counted.
We cannot afford to be silent any longer. We cannot afford to be complacent. The stakes are too high.
To the women reading this today, I say this: Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Your rights matter. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise. Do not let anyone make you feel small or insignificant. You are powerful beyond measure, and it’s time to harness that power.
To the men who support us, I say: Thank you. Stand with us. Speak out. Use your privilege to amplify our voices and fight for our rights. This is not just our battle; it’s yours too.
To those who oppose us, I say: We will not back down. We will not be intimidated. We will not be silenced. We are on the right side of history, and we will prevail.
The road ahead will not be easy. There will be setbacks and disappointments. But we must remember that progress is not always linear. Sometimes it takes a step back before leaping forward. Our strength lies in our unity, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to justice. Let us work tirelessly, day and night, to ensure that every woman in this country — and indeed, around the world — has the right to make decisions about her own body, and her own life.
by Kerry K. Davies
