Blog Series: Global Solidarity for Reproductive Justice – Part 2

Blog Series: Global Solidarity for Reproductive Justice – Part 2

Fighting Back in Washington, D.C.: Global Strategies to Defend Reproductive Freedom

In January 2025, SiX and Women’s Equality Center brought together U.S. and Latin American legislators to share insights and strategies in the global fight for reproductive justice. Alongside US state legislators, four Latin American lawmakers – Mexico’s Deputy Patricia Mercado, Deputy Liliana Aguilar Gil, Municipal Union of City Hall Mónica Silva Ruiz, and Argentinian Senator Guadalupe Tagliaferri – engaged in a week of learning, exchange, and collaboration designed to strengthen their work in defending abortion rights.

After traveling from Georgia to Washington, DC over four days, meeting with reproductive justice leaders, researchers, red and blue state legislators, abortion funds, clinic staff, abortion providers, abortion storytellers, and legal experts, Argentinian Senator Tagliaferri summed up an aspect of the delegation’s learning: “What’s clear to me, is that the American dream does not include women.”

This is the second installation in a two-part blog series where you’ll get a behind the scenes account of what these legislators learned. For the first, click here.

Day 3

Latin American legislators traveled to Washington, D.C. and led a congressional briefing with members from SiX, Women’s Equality Center, and Guttmacher Institute’s teams. Latin American leaders emphasize solidarity in defending reproductive rights, highlighting Argentina’s fight against restrictive policies and Mexico’s recent decriminalization of abortion. They stress the importance of proactive legislation, allyship with men, and reframing discussions beyond morality. U.S. legislators are urged to treat abortion as a public health issue and collaborate internationally. Economic disparities limit access, making government action crucial. Organizing at local levels is key, with Latin America’s “Green Wave” serving as inspiration for U.S. movements. Immediate action is needed to protect and expand reproductive rights.

After the congressional briefing, legislators met with Maryland Delegate Nicole Williams and Executive Director Arianna Kelly, Maryland Commission for Women. The discussion highlighted disparities in healthcare access across U.S. states, particularly reproductive care. Maryland policies are on the vanguard of expanding reproductive health access and officials discussed the importance of vigilance in making sure they continue to improve access. They discussed how they’re looking to eliminate maternal health disparities that persist across racial and ethnic lines, worsening in later generations. While these legislators collaborate across states to protect abortion rights, funding and political challenges remain. Conservative opposition threatens progress, requiring strategic solidarity. Both Latin American and state legislators stressed shifting from survival to thriving, with policies grounded in human rights. Maryland’s abortion laws are protective, but financial and logistical barriers persist. The discussion emphasized the need for continued advocacy, legislative action, and countering misinformation to uphold reproductive rights.

Day 4

On the final day of the delegation, legislators began the day by grounding themselves in storytelling. Access to abortion care varies widely, with stigma and restrictions affecting providers and patients alike. Storytelling plays a key role in shifting narratives, offering catharsis, and creating space for those impacted. Training for providers remains difficult, especially in restricted states, with fewer opportunities post-Dobbs. Advocacy efforts push for expanded telehealth, harm reduction approaches, and post-abortion care. Latin America’s evolving abortion discourse highlights public health and equity issues. Reducing stigma and increasing accessibility, including through abortion doulas and policy changes, remains crucial. The goal is to normalize abortion as essential healthcare and improve provider training and patient support.

And finally, legislators met with legal scholars at Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute to understand the legal efforts to reverse abortion bans at the federal and state levels. Abortion restrictions in the U.S. have intensified post-Dobbs, with 12 states enforcing full bans and others imposing harsh penalties on providers. Criminalization disproportionately affects women of color, with prosecutions for pregnancy loss and self-managed abortion increasing. Internationally, a total abortion ban is recognized as a human rights violation, yet the U.S. is disregarding global norms. Latin America tracks regional trends, advocating against criminalization. Fetal personhood laws expand restrictions, while legal battles challenge bans on constitutional grounds. Activists push for protections, decriminalization, and policy shifts to counter growing prosecutions and safeguard reproductive rights.