Defend Women's Rights
Across the United States, an increasing number of states are enacting laws that strip away women’s fundamental rights, including abortion and divorce protections. In states like Iowa, abortion is banned even in cases of rape, sexual assault, incest, and life-threatening complications. This is unacceptable.
Women are not property, and no government has the right to force them into childbirth against their will. Numerous studies have shown that restrictive abortion laws don’t just harm women—they actively endanger them. Data shows that infant mortality rates rise in states with strict abortion bans, affecting the lives of mothers and their children alike.
A System That Controls by Fear
These oppressive laws are designed to control women and maintain a status quo that limits freedom and choice. Even today, some states require women to endure a waiting period for divorce, forcing them to remain legally tied to abusers. Imagine being trapped in a violent marriage, knowing that the legal system requires you to wait before you can escape.
Laws like these are built on fear and control. We must dismantle them to give women the freedom they deserve.
Abortion Rights: A Matter of Health and Equality
Access to abortion is a healthcare issue and a human rights issue. In a country that values freedom, it’s shocking that we still debate a woman’s right to control her body. In Iowa, and in 17 other states, women are deprived of this basic right. A woman’s health, safety, and future shouldn’t be at the mercy of lawmakers or political agendas.
Every day, women facing complex pregnancies, health issues, or economic challenges are forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term. When abortion is restricted, it does not stop abortions—it only stops safe abortions. This endangers the lives of countless women, disproportionately affecting low-income women and women of color who face additional barriers to healthcare.
The Numbers Speak
- In countries where abortion is legal, maternal death rates are significantly lower. Restrictive abortion laws correlate with a 32% increase in maternal mortality.
- Research has shown that carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term can worsen mental health, increase financial hardship, and limit educational and career opportunities.
- Over 70% of Americans support the right to abortion in cases of rape, incest, or endangerment to the mother's life, yet legislatures continue to ignore this overwhelming public opinion.
A Commitment to Ending Forced Marriage and Abuse
The fight for women’s rights doesn’t end with reproductive rights. In too many states, outdated laws prevent women from leaving abusive marriages, putting them and their children at risk. Divorce restrictions, including waiting periods and mandatory counseling, serve as tools of control rather than supports for women in crisis.
Women who face abuse deserve immediate protection, not barriers. Waiting periods for divorce should be eliminated, especially in cases of domestic violence and abuse. Every woman deserves the right to leave a relationship that threatens her safety.
Supporting Survivors of Abuse
- I will codify the right to divorce, particularly for women facing domestic violence. We need to recognize divorce as a path to safety and healing, not a privilege to be regulated.
- I will work to increase funding for shelters and support programs for survivors of domestic violence. Safe spaces and resources are essential to help women rebuild their lives.
Standing with Women: My Commitments
Women deserve autonomy, respect, and safety. They deserve equal treatment and the right to make their own choices about their bodies and lives. My commitment is clear:
- Codify abortion as a legal right to ensure every woman has control over her reproductive health.
- Eliminate restrictions on divorce, particularly in cases of abuse, to protect women’s safety and freedom.
- Increase funding for programs that support abuse survivors, providing them with resources for safe housing, counseling, and legal assistance.
Join Me in Defending Women's Rights
Women’s rights are under attack, and it's time to take a stand. Together, we can create a society where women are free from government control over their bodies, where survivors of abuse can safely rebuild their lives, and where every woman is respected and valued. I refuse to accept a future where women’s rights are denied. Join me in defending the rights of all women in Iowa and across America.