on how the Helms and Hyde Amendments limit women’s access to abortion
both in the United States and abroad. The report highlights the ways in
which the Amendments violate human rights, impose barriers on access to
safe abortion for women and young women, tie the hands of the
health-care providers who serve them, and contribute to stigmatization
of abortion and chilling of free speech on the issue.
On March 17, Ipas and Ibis—sponsored by All Above All—launched
the report in Washington, DC. Speakers representing both organizations,
as well as several partners, shared their thoughts and experiences with
both amendments and their similar effects:
Marcela Howell, founder and executive director for In Our Own Voice, said “The Hyde Amendment went after the poorest women…it deprives poor and minority women access to abortion.”
Echoing Howell, Niki Msipa-Ndebele, senior community access advisor
for Ipas, said the Helms Amendment “is misinterpreted and misused to
deny women—particularly poor and rural women in Africa and other regions
where Ipas works—their right to safe abortion.”
“The effects of the Helms Amendment are insidious,” said Ipas
President John Hetherington. “We have to work toward a world where
anyone who experiences an unintended pregnancy can access safe
abortion.”
Along with the report, the organizations released a short fact sheet.
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