My Body My Choice: The Fight for Abortion Rights

Robin Stevenson is an award-winning writer of both fiction and nonfiction books for young adults who has contributed to the new “Orca Issues” series by Orca Book Publishers. As the publishers claim on their website:

We strive to produce books that illuminate the experiences of people of all ethnicities, people with disabilities and people who identify as LGBTQ. Our goal is to provide reading material that represents the diversity of human experience to readers of all ages. Orca aims to help young readers see themselves reflected in the books they read. We are mindful of this in our selection of books and have a particular interest in publishing books that celebrate the lives of Indigenous people. Providing young people with exposure to diversity through reading creates a more compassionate world.

Stevenson provides her readers with a passionate look at the fight for women’s rights and, in particular, for reproductive rights. She begins with a look at the history of abortion, a procedure which dates back as early as the ancient Egyptians and ancient Greeks. The book traces the fight to the present day, as recently as Ireland in May 2018. Stevenson shows how the issue of abortion is intertwined with other social issues such as racism and feminism.

The book looks at various people and groups who have attacked abortion over the years, including governments both in North America and other western countries as well as in developing countries. The role played by the church is also discussed.

Stevenson points out the many groups around the world who are advocating for reproductive rights, such as Women on Waves who are able to perform abortions in international waters and Women on Web who provide information and, in some cases, medical consultations and abortion pills to women in countries where they cannot legally and safely access abortion.

Lastly, Stevenson discusses where the fight will go from here and the necessity not only to maintain what has been accomplished but to continue to push for change and the acceptance of abortion. The role of social media is emphasized in the final chapter as a way for modern young adults to access information as well as support.

One of the features of My Body My Choice is Stevenson’s inclusion of many personal stories. Some figures, like Henry Morgentaler, are familiar to many Canadians. However, Stevenson also includes young activists from around the world as well as the ‘real experts’, i.e. young women who have had abortions and are willing to share their stories.

The format of My Body My Choice will appeal to its intended young adult audience. There are many photos as well as insets entitled “Speaking Out” which provide personal quotes from a variety of activists. Visual learners will also appreciate the maps, illustrations and comic strips which all help the author prove her point.

Stevenson has used up-to-date data from both the United States and Canada, as well as from international sources. The end of the text includes a glossary and a list of web resources about reproductive health and how to prevent unwanted pregnancies. There is also an extensive list of references for those who wish to examine the topic of abortion in more depth.

Discussions about sexual health and about abortion have long been either silenced or moved to the sidelines in order to avoid embarrassment or controversy. Fortunately, authors like Robin Stevenson have chosen to come forward and present facts to young adults about their rights. My Body My Choice contains strong arguments and is guaranteed to prompt much-needed conversations and discussions and, along with pro-life materials, should be available in libraries and schools across the country so that students have informed access to the abortion debate.