How Social Workers Can Take Action on Abortion Access

By Lynne Walter, MSW, NASW-NC Member and NASW-NC Legislative Committee Member 

The most extreme and most dangerous abortion ban in the country took effect September 1st in Texas, and now most Texans will have to travel to another state to access abortion, if traveling outside their home state for healthcare is even a possibility for them.

Access to abortion and reproductive health care have been on the NASW-NC Legislative Agenda for years: “Oppose any and all efforts to restrict access to abortion and reproductive health care, allow providers the ability to fully practice within the scope of their profession, and grant young people access to factual, comprehensive, and medically accurate sexuality education.”

Taking action to defend abortion access and reproductive freedom are intrinsic to our profession. The very first ethical responsibility outlined in the NASW Code of Ethics is “Commitment to Clients,” which requires that “clients’ interests are primary.” Social workers also must “respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination,” which clearly includes a client’s right to make choices about their own reproductive health. As social workers, the right to bodily autonomy, including getting an abortion, inherently aligns with our ethical standards as social workers.

So, what can you do now to take action? 

1) Support your local abortion fund!  In North Carolina, that's the Carolina Abortion Fund.

2) People in Texas who can get pregnant - cis women, trans folks, non-binary people, and gender non-conforming people - need our immediate and ongoing support. You can give here and your donation will be split between 10 abortion funds in Texas: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/txfunds

3) Get more progressive, pro-choice, pro-abortion people elected into office! I've been doing a fundraiser to do just that in North Carolina, and people can give to Lillian’s List here: https://secure.everyaction.com/MMpxLOkclk2UPftfdPkCYA2

4) Support the work of local organizations in your state who are on the ground and doing the important work where you live. National organizations that aren't on the front lines do not need your cash right now--local groups that live and fight for abortion access and reproductive freedom in your state DO. In North Carolina, that's organizations like NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, Carolina Abortion Fund, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, and independent abortion clinics like A Woman's Choice Inc, A Preferred Women's Health Center and others.

5) HOLD YOUR LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL elected officials accountable! Don't let them rest until abortion access is guaranteed in your state. Immediately contact your member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate and tell them to pass the Women's Health Protection Act (WHPA) *NOW*. Contact the US Attorney General and tell him the DOJ needs to take action because Texas' SB 8 also enacted anti-abortion bounty hunting vigilantism by private citizens, and the law violates a protected class (sex/gender). Tell President Biden to actually SAY ABORTION and do everything in the power of the Executive branch to ensure access to abortion.

6) Please join NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina and All on the Line North Carolina Wednesday, September 8th, from 6:00pm-7:30pm for a webinar to learn how gerrymandered voting maps impact reproductive freedom in North Carolina and what actions we can take!

7) Sign this petition from the NASW Texas Chapter and learn more about how the law impacts social workers. You can sign and share their petition to help support them.

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