The fight for women’s reproductive rights continues as states across the nation work fast to sign laws that will restrict or potentially ban abortion. Black and Brown women could feel the brunt of the storm, as abortion rates tend to be higher for the groups in comparison to white women.

Data published by the CDC in 2018 found that abortion rates among Black women were 3.4 times higher than white women. The report reflected a similar trend among Hispanic women, with abortion rates soaring to 1.7 times higher than that of their white female counterparts. Researchers believe that the numbers could reflect socio-economic issues like financial barriers that prevent women of color from affording effective contraception such as condoms or birth control prescriptions. 92 percent of abortions are performed within the first 13 weeks.

Life also presents a number of challenges for women. The Guttmacher Institute wrote in their 2015 report that “relationship changes, moving or personal crises” can also impact a women’s decision to continue or refrain from taking preventative pregnancy measures. Some women have cultural and linguistic barriers that could impact their decision to use contraception. Continue Reading