History & Politics of Abortion

Abortions occur whether they are legal or not, but the right to abortion has been both supported and contested over time. This essay traces key state and federal laws and Supreme Court rulings and their effects throughout U.S. history.

Want to help make abortion accessible and legal for all? Find organizations and groups that are working for abortion access, abortion rights, and reproductive justice.

In 1971, when abortion was illegal in all but a few states, a group of women came together to make a documentary film. The film they made was the first from the perspective of women who had had or sought an abortion.

This interactive map tracks abortion bans, restrictions, and protections, updated in real time.

This article traces how nativism, eugenics, and white supremacy have historically helped drive the anti-abortion movement.

Quick facts and things to know about abortion, forced pregnancy, abortion access, and the future of abortion rights.

This podcast, published on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, discusses the realities of seeking and providing abortion care in a post-Roe America.

Primary care physicians who provide abortion care use facts and images to debunk myths about early pregnancies.

This article from "Ms." discusses how to use international legal remedies to hold the U.S. accountable for eroding abortion rights and thus women’s human rights.

These regularly updated fact sheets outline state-level restrictions and legal requirements around abortion and contraception in the United States.

Reproaction’s Fake Clinic Database shows the locations of anti-abortion clinics that exist to mislead and shame people seeking abortion care.

This policy brief examines the state surveillance of abortion access and the growing criminalization of pregnant people, parents, and providers.