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Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council

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RFLC Global Work

The fight for reproductive freedom knows no borders—it is a global battle for human rights and democracy itself. In the absence of U.S. federal protections, the lines of state borders have blurred as people cross them in search of care and dignity. Elevating the voices and leadership of U.S. state legislators on the international stage affirms that across every state, people are courageously resisting the erosion of rights and advancing a shared vision of equity and justice for all.

RFLC Global Work

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Why It Matters

State legislators are movement builders

State legislators are not only passing policy—they are shifting the narrative, building coalitions, and responding directly to community needs. When they’re connected to global movements, they gain access to new strategies, mutual support, and a deeper sense of shared purpose.

Global visibility amplifies domestic resistance

Elevating the work of U.S. state legislators on international platforms sends a powerful message: people are pushing back in every corner of the country. The fight for reproductive rights in the U.S. is not over—it’s evolving, growing, and aligning with global movements for justice.

Solidarity fuels resilience

In states where reproductive rights are under constant attack, it is vital that legislators know they are not alone. Global advocacy networks can offer moral, strategic, and political support that strengthens their resolve and enhances their effectiveness.

This is about the future of democracy

The rollback of reproductive rights is deeply connected to broader efforts to erode democratic norms and institutions. By lifting up the leadership of state legislators who are advancing rights-based policy, we are also defending the democratic values at the heart of inclusive, just societies.

SiX and O'Neill Institute Global Legal
 Comparison Reports

SiX and the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law have compiled a series of global legal comparison reports highlighting trends in abortion law and policy around the world, and situating the United States within the broader global context. Each of the reports below summarize global public health standards, international human rights norms, and legislative and jurisprudential trends. While not intended to be comprehensive of all international law, these reports aim to increase visibility of approaches used to expand access to abortion care around the world.

 

  • Global Legal Comparison Executive Summary
  • Global Legal Comparison Definitions List
  • Abortion as Health Care Report
  • Critiques of Abortion Criminalization Report
  • Regulation of Religious Refusals for Abortion Care Report
  • Global Legal Comparison Policy Considerations
    • Global Legal Comparison Report Covers

    State Legislator Delegations

    SiX and the Women’s Equality Center have been partnering on international delegations of state legislators since 2019. Starting in El Salvador pre-Dobbs in 2019 to post-Dobbs Mexico in 2022, the Dominican Republic in 2023, and Brazil in 2025.

    Sharing space with policymakers, advocates, health care providers, and accompaniers from other countries has helped state legislators to shift to a stance of learning from the Green Wave and other social movements in Latin America and around the globe.

    The delegations have been transformative and pivotal experiences, deepening state legislators’ commitment and momentum in critical legislative efforts in their own states.

    In January 2025, SiX and WEC hosted a ‘reverse delegation’ of policymakers from Mexico and Argentina to the United States for a week of learning, exchange, and collaboration with state legislators, reproductive justice leaders, researchers, providers, abortion funds, storytellers, and legal experts.

    El Salvador Delegation 2019
    State legislators and members of SiX's reproductive rights team meet with abortion activists and legislators in Mexico
    Mexico Delegation 2022
    Dominican Republic 2023
    Brazil Delegation 2025

    SiX and O'Neill 'Beyond Borders' Global Convenings

    In 2024, SiX and the O’Neill Institute at Georgetown Law launched the first ‘Beyond Borders’ convening- hosting over 120 state lawmakers, U.S. advocates, and international human rights experts, including speakers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, India, Kenya, Mexico, Poland, and Uganda at a two-day convening on international abortion rights in Washington, D.C.

    At ‘Beyond Borders’ speakers from around the world share their experiences and reflect on the utility of international frameworks and standards, allowing U.S. state legislators to consider, sometimes for the first time, opportunities to integrate a human rights framework into their policymaking work.

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    I found the plenaries compelling in describing the work that we need to do. It was interesting to hear the global impact and to hear from women working against pregnancy criminalization and for birth justice in their countries and in the U.S. I found the final discussion, visioning our future, a challenge for all of us. U.S. State Legislator

    State Legislators at the United Nations

    Jump to 2025 Jump to 2023

    2025

    Universal Periodic Review of the United States

    2024

    International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

    • The SiX Reproductive Rights team represented the role of state legislators in upholding the human right to reproductive and maternal health at the United Nations Human Rights Committee on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

    2023

    Human Rights Committee

    • SiX joined a submission to the Human Rights Committee’s review of the United States outlining the human rights crisis caused by abortion restrictions in the states alongside Amnesty International, Global Justice Center, Human Rights Watch, Ipas, Obstetricians for Reproductive Justice, and RH Impact

    Featured Resources

    Blog: From Brazil to the States — State Legislators Bring Home Lessons on Democracy, Racial Justice, and Reproductive Freedom

    Blog: From Brazil to the States — State Legislators Bring Home Lessons on Democracy, Racial Justice, and Reproductive Freedom

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