Abortion access isn’t just a fight in the U.S.—it’s a global issue. Some countries have expanded reproductive rights, while others have cracked down, often in ways that mirror what’s happening in the U.S. So where does the U.S. stand in comparison? And what can we learn from nations that have successfully protected or restored abortion access? In this episode, we take a global perspective, exploring the policies, movements, and lessons that could shape the future of reproductive justice at home.

This episode was prerecorded in December 2024. Since recording, the Global Gag Rule was reinstated by Trump’s executive order on January 24, 2025. Additionally, the dismantling of USAID by the “Department” of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has significantly impacted global health funding, worsening the risks already posed by the Global Gag Rule.

There’s no official national abortion ban—yet. But behind the scenes, Republicans are executing a step-by-step strategy to make abortion inaccessible across the country. From stacking federal courts to pushing targeted restrictions that seem minor but have devastating consequences, they’re slowly eliminating access without ever needing to pass an outright ban. In this episode, we break down the political playbook designed to roll back women’s rights and explore what we can do to fight back before it’s too late.

This episode was prerecorded in December 2024.

Abortion rights aren’t just a healthcare issue—they’re an economic one. In this episode, we break down how reproductive freedom impacts career opportunities, wages, and workplace equality. From the financial toll of forced pregnancy to the role of employers in supporting reproductive rights, we’re unpacking why abortion access - or forced pregnancy - is a labor rights issue, too.

This episode was prerecorded in December 2024.

Correction: The Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA) which allows eligible civilian federal workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care of a child was passed in 2020, not 2023.

Misinformation about abortion is everywhere—and a key, intentional tactic of the anti rights movement. but we’re setting the record straight. In this episode, we break down the science, debunk common myths, and expose the harmful narratives used to restrict reproductive rights. No speculation, no politics, just facts.

This episode was prerecorded in December 2024.

Resources:

ProPublica Report: https://www.propublica.org/article/georgia-abortion-ban-amber-thurman-death

With an administration openly hostile to women’s rights, a Republican-controlled Congress, and billionaires like Elon Musk exerting alarming political influence, what can Democrats actually do? In this episode, House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark joins Women in America to break down the fight to protect reproductive rights, hold the administration accountable, and push back against a potential national abortion ban. She also shares why she chose to speak about her own abortion on the House floor and the impact of that decision.

Tune in for a candid conversation about what’s at stake for women in America—and how you can take action.

Resources:

* Call your (Republican!) Congressional Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

* ESPECIALLY IF THESE ARE YOUR REPS:

* David Schweikert, AZ - 01

* Gabe Evans, CO-08

* Tom Barrett, MI-07

* Click here for Whip Clark’s House floor speech against criminalizing doctors.

* Click here for Whip Clark’s op-ed about her abortion story.

Episode 3: Abortion restrictions hit hardest for people of color, low-income communities, and those in rural areas. In this episode, we unpack the systemic barriers to care—from racial disparities in healthcare to the economic realities of forced pregnancy—and why true abortion access must be about equity, not just legality.

This episode was prerecorded in December 2024.

In this episode, we’re untangling the complex history and devastating legal fallout of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. What led us to Roe? And how did Roe fall so hard in 2022? How have states weaponized the courts to create a patchwork of abortion access—or lack thereof? The stakes have never been higher, and understanding the past is key to shaping the fight for our future.

In our premiere episode, we’re laying the groundwork for a conversation that touches every aspect of gender equality: abortion rights. Why is the fight for reproductive autonomy central to achieving true equality for women and marginalized genders? And how do restrictions on abortion ripple out to impact lives in deeply personal and systemic ways? We share our stories, our motivations, and the origin of @GEMMA_Talks, plus we’ll explore how interconnected reproductive rights are to economic, social, and cultural freedoms.