In a decision which took the entire world by shock, U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that had provided a constitutional right to abortion. Now, consequently, abortion will be banned in roughly half of the US states soon. Actress Somy Ali, who also runs an NGO called No More Tears that helps domestic violence and rape victims, is deeply disturbed by the turn of events.
“We just went back 50 years in terms of progress with the overturning of Roe. Women should have the right to do what they want with their bodies. As someone who works with teenage rape victims who are then impregnated by the perpetrators it’s a very dark time for these children and my NGO. We have literally gone back to a time where women and young girls will end up dead by attempting self-induced abortions,” she says.
Somy Ali: Gone back to a time when women will end up dead by attempting self-induced abortions
She adds, “I am in complete shock that this has taken place. Rape and incest are key crimes which NMT addresses and works with Planned Parenthood to help the pregnant women/girls get abortions so they don’t lose their lives. Many of these girls are as young as 11 and 12 years old. Their bodies have not fully developed and they could potentially and literally die if they went through the pregnancy. I am appalled and extremely heartbroken with this decision. Going back to hangar times is not progress, it’s a path to death. My heart goes out to these women who are desperately trying ways to fight this heinous decision. Last month we had a 11-year-old who was impregnated by her own father through rape. She was brought to my NGO and thankfully we were able to terminate the pregnancy right away or the doctor said had she given birth, she would not have survived.”
In fact, she says that abortions have actually saved lives in the past. “We have had several rape victims and some had an ectopic pregnancy which had to be aborted. There are many cases where abortion is not just necessary, but the only method to save the victim’s life. This is simply preposterous!
Nothing worse could have happened to the lives and rights of women than overturning Roe.”
She adds, “Something so powerful took place in 1973 and something so backward and literally killing women and young girls with a single decision took place in 2022. I do not comprehend this decision. Ruth Bader Ginsburg is rolling in her grave. I am sad and angry!”
