Abortion is a contentious issue in many parts of the world.

While some people believe that women have the right to choose whether or not to have an abortion, others believe that abortion should be restricted or banned altogether. In recent years, there has been a growing trend towards restricting access to abortion in many countries, including the United States. Unfortunately, these restrictions will disproportionately impact certain groups, particularly women of color and low-income women.

One of the primary ways in which abortion restrictions will impact these groups is by limiting access to safe and legal abortion services. When abortion is illegal or inaccessible, women may turn to unsafe and often deadly methods to terminate their pregnancies. This can lead to serious health complications, including infection, hemorrhage, and death. According to the World Health Organization, unsafe abortion is a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Women who are unable to access safe abortion services are more likely to suffer complications, and women of color and low-income women are more likely to die from these complications.

Furthermore, restrictions on abortion can exacerbate existing health disparities. Women of color and low-income women are more likely to experience poor health outcomes, including higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, than their white and more affluent counterparts. By limiting access to abortion, these disparities are likely to worsen. Women of color and low-income women are more likely to face barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare services, including contraception, prenatal care, and abortion. When abortion is restricted, these barriers become even more pronounced.

In addition to impacting health outcomes, abortion restrictions can also have economic consequences for women. Women who are unable to access abortion services may be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. This can have a significant impact on their ability to work, care for their families, and pursue their education. Women who are unable to terminate a pregnancy may be forced to drop out of school or quit their jobs, which can lead to long-term economic consequences. This can perpetuate the cycle of poverty and inequality for women of color and low-income women.

Abortion restrictions also have a disproportionate impact on women who have experienced sexual violence. Women who have experienced sexual violence are more likely to seek abortion services than women who have not. When abortion is restricted, these women are forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term, which can be traumatic and can exacerbate the effects of the violence they have experienced. This can lead to long-term mental health consequences, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Finally, it is important to note that abortion restrictions can also impact transgender and gender-nonconforming people. These individuals may face significant barriers to accessing healthcare services, including abortion. When abortion is restricted, these barriers become even more pronounced. Transgender and gender-nonconforming people may face discrimination and stigma when seeking reproductive healthcare services, which can make it difficult for them to access the care they need.