While wealthy people—25 men and one woman past childbearing age—have sealed your fate, know that women and men around the world hear your pain. The pain of losing the right to control your own body, the pain of enduring an unwanted pregnancy, a life sentence with no possibility of release—up to 99 years for you and the one who helped you.
Dear young girl from Alabama, the injustice is such that your rapist—the one who put you in this situation—may be offered freedom after a maximum of 20 years, or 10 if he is your brother, your father, or an uncle… If they were kind enough not to beat you, the judge might even show leniency toward him—who knows…
Dear young girl from Alabama, mistakes happen, and you shouldn’t have to pay for them with your whole life. You know, sweetheart, you weren’t alone that fateful night; he is no less guilty than you are. If I were your mother, I’d move out of state just to spare you what lies ahead, because no one is safe, and a cluster of cells shouldn’t break the one I love with all my heart…
Dear young woman from Alabama, you’re being treated like a criminal for preventing a child from coming into the world into poverty; you’re being called a criminal for wanting to choose your own life over that of a being who doesn’t yet exist—and who, moreover, isn’t any more developed than a shrimp. Know that you are neither a criminal nor a bad person; you’ve simply made the mistake of being born a woman in this world where laws have the power to dictate what you do with your body—in this world ruled by men and their toxic religions.
Dear young girl from Alabama, I’d like to tell you that everything will be all right, but I don’t believe it… I’m afraid for you and for the dedicated doctors who will dare to break a backward and controlling law. I’m afraid for you—and now for the young girl from Louisiana…
Dear young women of Alabama and Louisiana, I hope the world will react; I hope someone will stop this madness; I hope I never have to add the names of neighboring states—those of my own country—to this already absurd list of two…
Dear young woman from Quebec, hear these words. Your body belongs to you; if you find yourself with an unwanted pregnancy, know that all options are available to you—they are your full and complete right, the right to control your own body and to choose. Young woman of Quebec, remember that it took two people—you don’t have to go through this alone. And if, unfortunately, he runs away, know that I would love to be your mother to reassure you and support you.
To all young women around the world: believe in your rights and your choices; protect yourselves—but also know that life is sometimes unpredictable, and that no one has the right to judge what life has in store for you over 30 years of fertility.