Reproductive Health & Rights

"Mommy, where did I come from?" This question needs to be addressed much earlier in girls' lives than in previous generations.

Advocates for Youth takes the stance that young people have the right to sexual health knowledge and services and deserve respect. That said, youth also need to take responsibility for preventing transmission of STIs and too-early childbearing. This group offers a number of programs, lesson plans, and publications to that end. 

"No woman is completely free unless she is wholly capable of controlling her fertility and...no baby receives its full birthright unless it is born gleefully wanted by its parents."

Babe proponent Alan Guttmacher, former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, uttered those words and founded the Alan Guttmacher Institute to help ensure the reproductive freedom of women. Sign up for the institute's e-mail alerts to stay informed.

You tested positive.

Did you recently hear these words from your health care provider? Self-proclaimed authority for sexually transmitted disease information in America, the American Social Health Association should be on your hit list. It has a message board, and the HPV discussion seems pretty active.

Concerned about your family jewels?

The American Society of Reproductive Medicine advocates for state-of-the-art patient care, research, and education. Visit its news page for daily updates in the field.

The ARHP has provided health education and research through its broad base of reproductive health practitioners since the early 60s.

They provide links to current articles covering reproductive health topics and free e-mail alerts.

Supporting family planning, including access to contraception, safe and legal abortion, and pre- and post-natal care, it seems that Catholics for a Free Choice can embrace life and choice.

If you share that belief, the e-mail action alert couldn't make it any simpler to join, Catholic or not.

The Center for Reproductive Rights employs the law to ensure reproductive freedom.

Join the mailing list to stay up-to-date.

Girl power strikes again!

Choice USA mobilizes future generations of leaders to promote reproductive choice. Whether or not you count yourself among these brave young people, we think you should hightail it to the take action page.

If you care about choice, may we interrupt this message with a service announcement....

Recent court rulings may change the availability of abortion in your state. EMILY's List has fought and continues to battle on behalf of women's freedom of choice by helping elect pro-choice, Democratic women to office. Sign up to receive e-mail updates.

The FWHC "promotes and protects a woman's right to choose and receive reproductive health care."

Visit here if you're looking for information, news or advocacy opportunities about reproductive rights. Also check out their store, Spanish site, resources for teens and a comprehensive birth control comparison chart .

"The best way for the world to thrive is to ensure that its women have the freedom, power, and knowledge to make decisions affecting their own lives and those of their families and communities." — Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan

Oh, General Annan, may we give you a hug? Apparently you and the International Women's Health Coalition have something in common. Dear readers, please sign up for e-mail alerts if you feel the same way. 

The leading advocacy group for a woman's right to reproductive choice.

Stop gritting your teeth over the anti-choice yahoos in the news and join NARAL Pro-Choice America, which is doing its damndest to protect our privacy and abortion rights. Then share your story or visit the pro-choice anti-Bush action center.

The NAF is a national association of abortion providers.

At the National Abortion Federation's site, you'll find unbiased abortion info, links to providers, and a free, anonymous, trilingual hotline.

This coalition of independent abortion providers seek to increase access to--and reduce stigma associated with--abortion.

The National Coalition of Abortion Providers says it's time for a "candid, national conversation" about "the realities of the abortion experience." Well put. Here you'll find answers to common questions, plus info on financial assistance and advice for parents and significant others.

"Planned Parenthood believes that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, that every child should be wanted and loved, and that women should be in charge of their destinies." Amen.

Planned Parenthood's site is chock-freakin'-full of info such as how to choose a contraception method, what to do after unprotected intercourse, and how to break it to your parents that you're gettin' busy.

"Demand your right to a healthy life" with the Pro-Choice Public Education Project.

"77% of anti-abortion leaders are men. 100% of them will never be pregnant." Aw yeah. Download your very own abortion awareness posters, enroll in Activism 101, or schedule a training for your organization.

A interfaith coalition that's "pro-faith, pro-family, and pro-choice."

The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice combines "the moral power of religious communities" with "reproductive choice through education and advocacy." Read relevant prayers and sermons from many faith perspectives, and let your religious leader know about Clergy for Choice.

SIECUS provides information, training, and public policy on sexuality and sexual rights.

The SIECUS site brims over with free guidelines for educators, administrators, parents, and members of the public who want to "create a world that ensures social justice and sexual rights." Don't miss the review of "fear-based, abstinence-only-until marriage" curricula. And there's a cool link to SexEdLibrary, which offers more than 100 lesson plans on relationships, sexual behavior and health, and more.

The international nonprofit Population Council researches biomedical, social science, and public health issues as they pertain to reproductive health and population growth.

Visit the Population Council site to learn about world health issues issues such as female genital mutilation and ongoing research into vaginal microbicides (that will, it's hoped, kill HIV).