Campaign Shares Real Abortion Stories

An effort beginning today by the 1 in 3 Campaign seeks to reduce stigma surrounding abortion with the power of one simple fact: One in three women will have an abortion in their lifetimes. The fact that this number sounds surprisingly high is testament to how pervasive abortion stigma and myths continue to be. The 1 in 3 campaign, which is an ongoing project of the organization Advocates for Youth, has designated this week "1 in 3 Action Week." Throughout the week, it will be spearheading events and inviting women who've had abortions to share their stories publicly in order to begin building "a culture of compassion, empathy, and support" for women's health care and reproductive rights.

“We are facing unprecedented cultural and legislative attacks on our rights," warned Deb Hauser, executive director of Advocates for Youth. "We must speak up about the need for these services. By sharing our stories — of students, moms, young professionals — we can change the conversation around abortion care.”

As part of 1 in 3 Action Week, the organization is asking women to sign a pledge "to speak out against the shaming of women who have had an abortion." It will be holding a live Facebook chat this Thursday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. (EST). The group has also published a compilation of women's abortion stories, which can be read for free online or purchased in paperback.

If you have an abortion story to share, you can do so (in written or video format) on the 1 in 3 website. Hear other women share theirs in this video:

Photo via Facebook