The Committee on Women and Gender Equity began their Thursday morning at City Hall where they unanimously voted and agreed on amending a local law that will implement a needs assessment for improved language access for abortion providers and clients. This vote comes two months after the legislation was presented to the New York City Council.
As the first female majority council, the Committee on Women and Gender Equity members found importance in protecting women’s rights and health in New York City- especially after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The overturning of this historic case sparked protests in many states because people viewed the Supreme Court’s decision as a removal of women’s rights to privacy. New York is one of the 25 states where abortion rights did not change, and the state became a safe haven for many women whose abortion rights were now restricted by their respective state laws.
Therefore, the Committee on Women and Gender Equity council found it necessary to ensure that women in New York City, and those traveling for the state’s abortion services, were treated in comfortable and safe spaces.
“With Roe v. Wade being overturned, it’s important that we continue to amplify and make sure that all women have access [to abortion providers despite] what state they’re coming from,” said Council Member Althea Stevens.
Talia Barrington, a student at the New York University Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, applauds the work of the members of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity. Barrington sees the importance of improving language access for abortion providers and clients because she thinks it is imperative for women to fully understand the effects of their decisions.
“…the range of people who need access to our healthcare system, and especially abortion care, don’t necessarily have English as a first language,” Barrington said.
“And I think understanding the laws…what they have access to and what they don’t have access to, and what the medications can do to their bodies...it’s so important for a woman or anyone who can…to have that knowledge.”
Kristin Richardson Jordan, a council member on the Committee on Women and Gender Equity, feels impacted by laws surrounding women’s rights. As someone in a position of power, she finds that it is necessary to decrease the impact of trauma that women face. Richardson Jordan believes that women often become an invisible community and that they should be treated with empathy and equality.
Richardson Jordan said, “The role we have as government…is that we’re public servants.”
“If we’re talking about language access, then we’re most likely talking about those who are black and brown women, those who are lower income women, and [we need to make sure] that there’s equity.”
While no challenges were developed during the earlier stages of seeking approval to amend this legislation, Richardson Jordan believes finances may pose a challenge when feedback on the needs assessment is received. She suspects that budgetary constraints will become apparent when the needs assessments report is received by the council. However, she hopes that finances will not curtail interest in this potentially life-changing program.
“…when we get to that step, that’s when it’s going to be a challenge because there’s a lot of competing priorities around budget. And so, I hope we remember today, and we remember how we’re feeling about this,” said Richardson Jordan.
Comments