What We Do

Our Bodies Ourselves Today

Our Bodies Ourselves Today’s online platform enables the unique contributions, approaches, and functions of the groundbreaking book “Our Bodies, Ourselves” to live on, while adding new features and connecting with new audiences across the globe. Our work is entirely in the service of the public good, and we do not take advertising dollars.

Our materials are rigorously evaluated, carefully curated and regularly updated by panels of leading feminist health experts drawn from the fields of medicine, public health, academia, consumer activism, policy, and media. The content and analysis we provide is grounded both in diverse lived experiences and current political and cultural contexts. It is accurate, evidence-based, holistic, user-friendly, and available at no cost.

The site features the best of what’s already available online as well as our own original content. In addition to articles, Our Bodies Ourselves Today includes multimedia elements, first person stories and conversations, and opportunities for activism and advocacy.

We currently provide resources on nine core topic areas: Contraception & Abortion, Gender-based Violence, Growing Older, Heart Health, Menstruation through Menopause, Mental Health, Pregnancy & Childbirth, Sexual Anatomy, and Sexuality, with new topics to be added in the future. We also feature the stories of, and conversations among, women and gender-expansive people. These personal stories – always an integral part of Our Bodies Ourselves – help normalize our experiences, offer new perspectives, create community, and allow us to share hard-won knowledge.

Global Translations & Adaptations of Our Bodies, Ourselves

Ever since the 1970s, when “Our Bodies, Ourselves” became a bestseller in the United States, publishers and women’s groups around the world have created translations and adaptations of the book for women in their own countries. As of August 2022, resources based on “Our Bodies, Ourselves” have been developed in 34 different languages.  Most recently, OBOS global partners in Brazil, France, and Uganda have published new books. Through their publications and outreach, our partners have reached millions of people with culturally relevant information on reproductive health, sexuality, and human rights, and given people the skills to translate this information into action. Learn more about the global translations and adaptations.

Activism & Advocacy

In today’s political climate, our work is needed as much as ever. With legal attacks on reproductive freedom and on vulnerable populations, “abstinence only” masquerading as sex education, and a broken, for-profit healthcare system, it’s not easy for women, girls, and gender-expansive people to maintain our health and autonomy.

We challenge the attitudes, policies, and laws that impede access to bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, and quality healthcare. To this end, we partner with other organizations on public health education and advocacy campaigns such as increasing access to midwifery care and medication abortion and advocating for stricter safety regulations for medical devices. We sign on to amicus briefs on issues critical to the health rights of women, girls, and gender-expansive people. Learn more about our activism and advocacy.

It is our privilege to be part of the worldwide feminist movement for health, justice and peace.