The Association of Fertility Awareness Professionals (AFAP) holds, as a fundamental principle, that abortion is a human right and an essential component of healthcare. Abortion bans harm all people, but in particular people of color, people living in poverty, trans and nonbinary people, people with disabilities, and young people, who typically have less access to resources and whose bodies are more actively policed and controlled.

The recent decision by the US Supreme Court in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health is out of step with the international community, which has seen widespread loosening of abortion restrictions. It is out of step with the majority of the US population, which favors legal abortion by a 2:1 margin. And it is out of step with public health, where evidence indicates that abortion bans exacerbate existing health care disparities, particularly with respect to maternal mortality. The US already has the highest maternal death rate amongst nations of comparable development, and the rates are sharply divided by race, with Black pregnant and birthing people dying at a rate that is 2 to 3 times that of their white counterparts.

AFAP believes that unbiased, comprehensive, affirming sexual and reproductive health education and counseling are foundational to achieving human rights and bodily autonomy for all people. Our organization supports members in offering client-centered FABM counseling and education that helps people make informed, empowered decisions regarding their reproductive and sexual health. We believe that all people must have the right and ability to access a full spectrum of reproductive healthcare options, including abortion.