Comparative Analysis: U.S. and Europe’s Perspectives on Reproductive Rights and Gender Equality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54097/52jnwy25Keywords:
Reproductive rights, abortion, gender equality, International Law, CEDAW, Roe v. Wade, Dobbs v. Jackson, human rights.Abstract
This paper considers reproductive rights as a legal and human rights issue. It outlines the U.S. constitutional trajectory from Roe v. Wade in 1973 to Dobbs v. Jackson in 2022, noting how the termination of federal abortion protection has created a patchwork of abortion laws at the state level. The paper situates these changes in light of international law--particularly in the CEDAW and ICCPR frameworks--and compares them to trends in Ireland, France, and Poland. The former two have brought domestic law into conformity with international law, while the latter has imposed strict limitations on abortion access, illustrating the continued tension between national sovereignty and global human rights obligations. Ultimately, the paper argues that limiting abortion access is detrimental to equality and dignity, and that reproductive autonomy remains a vital component of women's rights under international law.
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