1. United States
2. La.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to recognize that restrictions on reproductive healthcare—particularly those that force continuation of pregnancy in dangerous, coercive, or traumatic circumstances—constitute a form of violence against women. International human rights frameworks, including those established by the United Nations, affirm that women have the right to make decisions about their reproductive lives free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. These principles are reflected in longstanding global agreements such as the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (1994) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), both of which the United States supported. Modern United Nations resolutions addressing violence against women increasingly recognize that access to reproductive healthcare is directly tied to women’s safety, dignity, and autonomy. Denying care—especially in cases involving rape, life-threatening conditions, or severe psychological harm—can compound trauma and place women at further risk. Forced continuation of pregnancy is not a neutral policy outcome. It imposes physical risk, mental strain, and long-term consequences that uniquely affect women and those capable of pregnancy. Because this burden is not equally shared, such policies raise serious concerns about gender-based discrimination and harm. While there is ongoing debate about the scope of reproductive rights, the core principle remains clear: autonomy over one’s body is fundamental to human dignity. Policies that remove that autonomy in situations of harm or coercion demand careful scrutiny. I urge you to consider the human impact of these policies and to support approaches that prioritize health, safety, and dignity for all.