On a more political note, many conservative activists attempt to debunk liberal beliefs (how one would debunk a “belief” this reporter would not know). Charlie Kirk, an American political activist, recently appeared in a debate (for entertainment purposes) where he nonchalantly confirmed that – hypothetically – if his underaged daughter were to become pregnant, she would be forced against her will to deliver the said baby.

Narratives like Kirk’s are so damaging to women’s rights movements because they create the idea that termination is more traumatic and immoral than minors giving birth.

Since bodily autonomy is now being debated in politics (for reasons unbeknownst to this reporter), they play a crucial role in deciding who to vote for. In 2024, voting red will lead to a restriction on women’s rights, whereas voting blue will allow reproductive rights to be preserved.

In the presidential debate between Kamala Harris (Democratic Party) and Donald Trump (Republican Party), one very important question was posed: why should voters, specifically women, trust that abortion rights will be protected?

Trump responded to this question by falsely claiming that babies are being executed after birth, which could not be farther from the truth. There is such a stigma revolving around abortion because it is seen as some horrific act when in reality, it is no different than having an appendix removed.

Many people debate abortion from a religious standpoint, however, religion is an unstable foundation for the moral standing of abortion. The Constitution establishes a separation of church and state, meaning that religion is not to be involved with legal decisions. Therefore, those who debate accessibility to abortion from a religious viewpoint are violating the First Amendment.

It is so important to digest hard conversations like these and determine under what situations abortion should be legal. There are cases of sexual assault, incest, poor finances, and health risks that could lead to the decision to have an abortion. In no way is abortion used as contraception, but as healthcare to help women going through high-risk or unwanted pregnancies. The youngest recorded pregnancy was a five-year-old girl who was a victim of sexual assault. It seems almost unlawful to mandate people who are not old enough to vote or to get a job (to provide income) to have children. Minors should not be forced under any jurisdiction to carry a baby to term.

In colonial times, abortion was a typical medical procedure. It was outlawed sometime in the 1800’s, but natural (instead of surgical) abortions were still regularly used in the necessary context. In 1910, abortion was banned nationwide. Then, in 1973, the court case Roe v Wade legalized abortion. Since then, Roe v. Wade has been overturned. That is only 51 years that women had the right to bodily autonomy before it was rescinded in America. This is a major step back in the women’s rights movement. Even in the 21st century,  it is men who decide what women do with their bodies. Men illegally force women to have unnecessary medical procedures like “The Husband Stitch,” but will not allow for life-saving healthcare like abortion. It is so sad that women are still fighting for rights in the so-called land of the free. There is also a lack of information regarding abortion bans and their effects. The government’s non-transparency towards this topic is frightening, especially for women in need of abortions due to medical emergencies.

WeGo Global, a club that strives to speak out against world issues, prefers not to discuss reproductive rights as it is a highly sensitive and personal topic. Some passionate students want to speak out about it. Still, it is important to remember that advocating for reproductive rights requires a specific context that makes the issue difficult to approach without stepping on any toes.

“The school doesn’t want us to talk about abortions because they don’t want parents to send angry letters or interfere with the school,” Dawn Petrie, a WeGo Global member, said (Note that Petrie’s views reflect personal opinion and do not represent the official position of West Chicago Community High School or the district).

WeGo Global offers young activists a platform to make a change in society even when their preferred interests are deemed controversial, however, it’s important to understand how hard it is to provide education on such a delicate topic which is why it may not be appropriate.

“If we are going to talk about an issue like that, it involves a lot of sensitivity and is very important…[pro-lifers] don’t look at it like a human issue, but rather as a right or wrong,” Maggie Haas, WeGo Global sponsor, said. (Haas did not express an opinion on the subject of abortion, but spoke generally about the importance of being mindful of the topic.)