Ah, Roe v. Wade... A controversy nestled within comfortable layers bred of even more controversy. A matter shrouded in religion, belief, health, and a hundred other factors. Well, today’s your lucky day readers, for I am about to tell you all about Roe v. Wade Day–January 22nd, 1973, the day that the Supreme Court of the United States of America ruled for women to have the right to an abortion.

And, of course, how they overturned it three years ago.

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade, recognising a woman's constitutional right to choose to have an abortion without excessive government interference. This ruling invalidated many state laws that had previously restricted access to abortion, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of reproductive rights in America.

The Court's decision was grounded in the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, asserting that this right encompassed a woman's decision whether to terminate her pregnancy or not. However, the Court also acknowledged the state's interests in safeguarding maternal health and protecting potential life, leading to the establishment of the trimester framework. This framework allowed states to impose varying degrees of regulation on abortion procedures as a pregnancy progressed, balancing individual rights with state interests.

For nearly five decades, Roe v. Wade stood as a pivotal model, shaping the national discourse on reproductive rights. However, on June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organisation, declaring that the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion. This decision shifted the authority to regulate abortion back to individual states, leading to a patchwork of laws with varying degrees of access and restriction across the country.

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has had profound implications. In states with stringent abortion bans or severe restrictions, women have faced significant and tough challenges in accessing necessary reproductive healthcare. Reports have emerged of women being denied timely medical care, leading to preventable health complications and–in some tragic cases–death. For instance, investigations have highlighted cases where women in states like Georgia were unable to obtain prompt care due to restrictive abortion laws, resulting in, unfortunately, fatal outcomes.

The legacy of Roe v. Wade continues to influence the national conversation on reproductive rights. Advocates emphasise the importance of safeguarding access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, highlighting the tangible consequences of restrictive abortion laws on women's health and autonomy. There are many, many, MANY debates still ongoing about Roe v. Wade, whether it should’ve been overturned, the enormous implications, and the slow tightening of women’s freedom and reproductive rights.

Now, I’m curious… what do you think?

Written by Sara Rowan.
Edited by Hazel Antler.
Proofread by Daphne Clarke.