It's a sad day when American women are being urged to call their gynecologists, get birth control and make an appointment to get an IUD while it's still free under President Obama's Affordable Care Act, but unfortunately. under President elect Donald Trump's impending office/reign, this is what is happening.
Throughout Trump's presidential campaign, he has promised to ask Congress to repeal Obamacare on his first day in office, appoint judges who firmly go against access to abortion to the U.S. Supreme Court in a bid to overturn Roe v. Wade on the issue and defund Planned Parenthood.
That's pretty much the equivalent of Theresa May bulldozing her way through Parliament to get rid of the NHS, overturn the abortion law and get rid of sexual health charities such as The Brook and The Family Planning Association (FPA).
This is why it's so important for you to donate to Planned Parenthood today.
Since its creation in 1916, the organisation has given hope, expertise and affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare to women and men in times of vulnerability, confusion and distress.
It has empowered millions of people nationwide to help them make informed decisions regarding their bodies and has changed the way generations of society view sex, reproductive rights and autonomy.
Trump is on a mission to destroy Planned Parenthood's foundations, beliefs and hope.
On Wednesday, Willie Parker, who sits on the chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health, said in a statement: 'A Trump presidency will mean that attacks on access to abortion and all other reproductive health services will continue at the federal level and in states all across this country.'
Planned Parenthood Action Fund president Cecile Richards echoed his sentiments to say:
'We will fight alongside our partners to make sure that the progress of the past eight years, including emerging from the worst recession we've had in close to a century, expanding health care coverage to more than 20 million Americans, breaking down barriers of discrimination and racism, and upholding marriage equality, is protected,' she added.
Since we learned of Trump's election yesterday, we've spoken to several friends and colleagues across the Atlantic who are donating to Planned Parenthood to ensure that women continue receiving life changing health care and information when their reproductive rights are under threat and we feel it is our responsibility to help.
A donation to Planned Parenthood will be shared across America to all affiliated centres and would give women and men the hope that while their country might be suffering a time of confusion, disillusion and concern for the future, we are standing right beside them.
Right now, it's hard to contemplate a future with Donald Trump at the helm of US politics. A man who has used racial slurs, offensive language towards the disabled community and misogynistic digs towards his female opponent to win votes.
However, given his track record, it's safe to say that Trump has held almost every position on any given issue. The only thing he has actually been good at proving, is that he's consistent in changing his mind.
Let's hope he has a change of heart and reverts back to his former stance on pro-choice:
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
