Senator Ortiz joins SiX’s delegation trip to Brazil

PHOENIX- Last week, Arizona State Senator Analise Ortiz (LD24) joined five other state legislators from around the country for a legislative delegation trip to Brazil with the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) and the Women’s Equality Center. The trip, which was focused on abortion access and maternal health, allowed the lawmakers to engage with Brazilian elected officials, local activists, healthcare workers, and patients on issues like contraception, abortion access, and maternal health. Senator Ortiz shared the following statement about her trip and the importance of reproductive healthcare:

“Learning about the landscape of abortion access in Brazil made it clear that abortion bans endanger all people who can become pregnant. Abortion is banned in Brazil with only three strict exceptions: rape, imminent risk of death for the mother, or fetal anencephaly. But much like in the United States, barriers to care continue to exist for patients who should be entitled to legal abortions. The abortion pill is treated like contraband which only empowers drug traffickers and adds unnecessary risk to an otherwise completely safe medication. The reality in Brazil is the future that far-right extremist politicians in the United States want for us. Even in Arizona, where voters overwhelmingly enshrined a right to abortion in the state constitution, more than 40 abortion restrictions remain on the books. I was inspired to meet Brazilian politicians, activists, lawyers, and healthcare professionals who are standing strong in resistance to policies that threaten women and girls. This trip strengthened my resolve to protect and expand abortion access in Arizona because all people deserve to choose for themselves when and how to become a parent. The fight for reproductive freedom is a global one.” 

Photo credit: Kisha Bari