Colleagues, friends, fellow social workers:
- Oppose the appeal of Roe v. Wade
- Repeal other restrictions on public and private insurance coverage of abortions
- Resist any restrictions to abortion access that do not meet the Supreme Court’s Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt decision, unless such restrictions offer evidence-based medical or safety benefits sufficient to justify any burdens.
- Oppose all efforts to deny federal and state funds, including Medicaid reimbursements, to Planned Parenthood and other providers associated with abortion.
One of the greatest strengths of our profession is our deep
commitment to a client-centered stance; to respect where our clients are and
use that as a starting point to support their right to determine their own
future. That perspective is the
foundation of our work with individuals, groups, and in agencies, and is how we
empower communities. It is the core of
who we are—and who we committed to be professionally when we embarked on our
social work journey. We are human,
however. Each of us brings our own set of personal beliefs, values, experiences,
and ideas to the dialogue.
Inevitably,
for some—if not all of us—we will encounter issues and situations where our
personal and professional beliefs are challenged and perhaps may contradict one
another. The topic of reproductive
rights is one such area. As such, the
new law in Alabama stirs a wide array of personal and professional reactions in
each of us. Collectively, our greatest
strength—to be client- and person-centered—can also be one of the greatest individual
challenges we face. I want each of you
to know that whatever your feelings are on this issue, they are valid and
understood—and you have colleagues within the NASW-NJ community struggling with
the same, I assure you.
The NASW Code of Ethics states that “social workers respect
and promote the rights of clients to self-determination and assist clients in
their efforts to identify and clarify their goals.” Self-determination related to reproductive
health means individuals should be able to make their own decisions about
sexual activity and reproduction, without government interference or
reproductive coercion by an intimate partner, friend, family member, or
professional. As social workers, we
support the right of individuals to decide for themselves, without duress, and
according to their own personal beliefs and convictions, when and if they choose
to become parents. All social work services[JF1] , including
those services related to abortion, adoption, contraception, and parenting,
should be provided safely and competently in a nonjudgmental manner based on evidence-based
practice and the needs of the client rather than the position of another’s
personal beliefs.
As such, the National Association of Social
Workers-New Jersey Chapter, stands with women, and our clients, in the vehement
opposition to the Alabama legislation. Our chapter will stand in solidarity with others
to uphold the values and ethics of the social work profession and to continue
to:
We will continue to work with legislators in New Jersey to
ensure our representatives understand the dire impact legislative actions, such
as those taken in Alabama, have on women—and on our community as a whole. We are STRONGER when we uphold the values of
our profession and support the right of all individuals to
self-determination.
As social workers, we are called to use our voices and
advocate on behalf of those whose rights are being deteriorated, and our
Chapter will meet that call to action.
In solidarity,
Jennifer Thompson, MSW
Executive Director
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