EACS WAVE statement on the United States Supreme Court overturning freedom of choice

We at WAVE (Women Against Viruses in Europe) and EACS (European AIDS Clinical Society) stand united in our condemnation of the decision by the Supreme Court of the United States to abolish the constitutional protections for abortion which were established 50 years ago.  Access to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental human right.  The overturning of Roe removes this right from women in the United States, stripping them of their bodily autonomy and silencing their reproductive power.  In spite of the Supreme Court’s decision, women will continue to seek abortion care and some will die as a consequence of unsafe, unregulated practice. In addition, being forced to continue an unplanned or non-viable pregnancy will have wide-ranging impacts on the physical and mental health of women and their families, including babies born as a result. 

The burden of negative outcomes will fall heaviest on the most marginalised: trans and non-binary individuals, people of colour, people without secure immigration status, people experiencing violence and those who are too poor to avail themselves of other options.  Women living with HIV are more likely to experience these intersectional disadvantages.  They are more likely than women without HIV to seek abortion care (a reflection of their social vulnerability).  Therefore, this decision will disproportionately impact women, trans and non-binary people living with HIV in the United States, whilst sending a dangerous message to the world:  the potential life of someone else should be valued above that of a woman and that even seeking information on abortion is a crime. 

We are appalled by this position. We offer solidarity and support to our colleagues and friends in the United States as they seek to defend their fundamental human right to safe and legal abortion.