South Carolina is considering a bill that would make women who have an abortion eligible for the death penalty.
The proposed “South Carolina Prenatal Equal Protection Act of 2023” redefines “person” to include a fertilized egg at the point of conception, granting the zygote “equal protection under the homicide laws of the state” - even up to the point of the death penalty.
Regardless of personal beliefs about abortion, the idea of imposing such a severe punishment on women who make the difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy is not only misguided but also inhumane. Women should not be subject to the death penalty for making choices about their own bodies and their own futures.
"It is important to recognize that making a baby takes more than one person. "
It requires both a man and a woman. While women are the ones who carry and give birth to the baby, the man involved in the conception also bears responsibility. Therefore, to punish women for seeking an abortion without holding men accountable is not only unfair, but it is also unjust.
"However, the fact that such a bill was proposed in the first place raises serious concerns about the priorities and values of those in power."
State Rep. John McCravy, R-Greenwood, has suggested that women who have abortions are often victims of boyfriends or crimes and should not be prosecuted. While this is a step in the right direction, the proposed bill goes far beyond that by establishing the death penalty as a potential punishment. This approach is not only morally wrong but also counterproductive. It does nothing to address the root causes of why women seek abortions and will only create more harm and trauma.
It is reassuring to note that Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, has stated that Harris’ bill has 0 chance of passing. Even House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens, has stated that the House does not have the appetite to take up another abortion-related bill.
However, the fact that such a bill was proposed in the first place raises serious concerns about the priorities and values of those in power.
It is essential to recognize that the decision to have an abortion is not easy for any woman. The proposed bill in South Carolina that would make women who have an abortion eligible for the death penalty is cruel and unjust and a clear violation of human rights.
It is our hope that lawmakers in South Carolina and across the country will focus on creating policies that support women’s health and well-being rather than punishing them for making difficult decisions.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think we should discuss these types of topics in 2023?
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