the issues: women’s rights
The issue of women’s rights, particularly regarding abortion, is a significant point of contention between the two leading candidates in the 2024 U.S. presidential election: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Both candidates represent opposing viewpoints on reproductive rights and broader gender equality, reflecting the ideological divide between the Democratic and Republican parties. This essay provides a fact-based comparison of Harris' and Trump’s positions on abortion and women’s rights, based on their public statements, past policies, and current platforms.
Kamala Harris' Position on Women’s Rights and Abortion
As vice president and a prominent Democratic leader, Kamala Harris has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights, especially on issues like abortion access, reproductive health, and gender equality. Her stance is aligned with the Democratic Party’s commitment to protecting and expanding women’s rights, including safeguarding access to abortion following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn *Roe v. Wade* in 2022.
Protection of Abortion Rights: Harris has consistently championed the right to abortion as a fundamental aspect of women’s autonomy and healthcare. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s ruling in *Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization* (2022), which overturned the constitutional right to abortion, Harris has been a staunch defender of reproductive rights. She has argued that the decision threatens women's freedom and disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including low-income women and women of color. Harris supports efforts to restore federal protections for abortion rights, including through legislative action such as the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which aims to codify abortion rights into federal law.
Opposition to State-Level Abortion Bans: Harris has spoken out against the wave of state-level abortion bans and restrictions that followed the *Dobbs* decision. She has criticized laws in conservative states that restrict or eliminate access to abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, as extreme and harmful to women’s health. Harris has also called for federal interventions to protect abortion access in states where it remains legal, ensuring that women in restrictive states can travel for necessary healthcare without facing legal repercussions. Additionally, she supports repealing the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal funding for most abortion services, thereby making abortion more accessible to low-income women who rely on Medicaid.
Broader Reproductive Health and Gender Equality: Beyond abortion rights, Harris has advocated for comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including access to contraception, prenatal care, and maternity leave. She has also focused on addressing gender disparities in healthcare, economic opportunities, and workplace protections. As vice president, Harris has supported policies aimed at closing the gender pay gap, expanding affordable childcare, and increasing support for women in the workforce, particularly women of color and those in low-wage jobs.
Support for Judicial Appointments that Uphold Abortion Rights: Harris has been clear that judicial appointments are crucial to protecting women’s rights, particularly reproductive rights. She supports appointing federal judges and Supreme Court justices who are committed to upholding precedent on abortion rights and gender equality. Harris has emphasized the importance of the judiciary in protecting women’s access to healthcare and preventing the erosion of established rights.
International Advocacy for Women’s Rights: Harris’ support for women’s rights extends beyond the U.S. She has advocated for global efforts to advance gender equality, promote women’s health, and combat violence against women. She has been an advocate for international organizations and agreements that promote women’s rights, such as the United Nations' efforts to address gender-based violence and maternal health disparities.
Donald Trump’s Position on Women’s Rights and Abortion
Donald Trump’s position on women’s rights and abortion is aligned with the conservative wing of the Republican Party. His presidency (2017–2021) marked a significant shift in U.S. policy on abortion and reproductive rights, particularly through judicial appointments and the support of state-level abortion restrictions.
Opposition to Abortion: Trump has been a vocal opponent of abortion, a stance that solidified during his 2016 presidential campaign and continued throughout his presidency. He became a key figure in the anti-abortion movement, appointing three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court—Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett—who contributed to the court’s 2022 decision to overturn *Roe v. Wade*. Trump celebrated the *Dobbs* decision as a victory for “the right to life” and took credit for his role in reshaping the judiciary to overturn *Roe*. His 2024 campaign is expected to continue emphasizing his pro-life stance, which includes support for banning most abortions nationwide.
Support for State-Level Abortion Bans: Trump has voiced strong support for state-level efforts to restrict abortion access. Throughout his presidency and afterward, he supported states like Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi that passed laws severely restricting or banning abortion. Trump has framed these efforts as part of a broader moral and ethical argument in defense of life, and he has praised the legislative victories of states that enacted so-called "heartbeat bills" or near-total abortion bans.
Judicial Appointments and Legal Strategy: Trump’s judicial appointments were central to his strategy for dismantling *Roe v. Wade*. By appointing conservative judges to the federal bench, including the Supreme Court, Trump sought to shift the judiciary toward a more restrictive interpretation of abortion rights. His nominees—Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett—played a crucial role in the *Dobbs* decision. Trump has pledged that if re-elected, he will continue to appoint judges who adhere to conservative views on abortion and other social issues. This includes potentially supporting further legal efforts to restrict or ban abortion at the federal level.
Conservative Social Policies: Beyond abortion, Trump’s broader approach to women’s rights includes support for conservative social policies that align with traditional gender roles. His administration rolled back various Obama-era policies related to gender equality, including changes to Title IX regulations that dealt with sexual harassment and assault on college campuses. Additionally, Trump’s administration restricted access to birth control by expanding religious exemptions to the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate. His administration also reinstated the "Mexico City Policy" (also known as the global gag rule), which prohibits U.S. federal funding for international organizations that provide or promote abortion services.
Opposition to Federal Abortion Funding: Like many Republicans, Trump supports maintaining the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds for most abortions. During his presidency, he expanded this policy by prohibiting federal funding for organizations that refer patients for abortion services, such as Planned Parenthood. Trump has consistently argued that taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund abortions, framing this issue as a matter of protecting conscience rights for Americans who oppose abortion.
Key Differences
Abortion Access: Harris advocates for codifying the right to abortion into federal law, whereas Trump supports restrictive abortion policies, including state-level bans and further judicial action against abortion rights.
Judicial Philosophy: Harris seeks to appoint judges who will protect abortion rights and gender equality, while Trump has prioritized appointing conservative judges who oppose abortion and may further limit reproductive rights.
Federal Funding and Reproductive Healthcare: Harris supports repealing the Hyde Amendment and expanding access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion services, for low-income women. Trump, on the other hand, supports the Hyde Amendment and has expanded policies that restrict federal funding for abortion both domestically and internationally.
International Women’s Rights: Harris supports global initiatives to promote women’s rights, particularly in areas such as maternal health, education, and combatting gender-based violence. Trump’s foreign policy was more focused on restricting abortion services abroad through policies like the Mexico City Policy.
Economic and Workplace Equality: Harris advocates for policies aimed at reducing the gender pay gap, expanding affordable childcare, and promoting workplace equality. Trump has focused less on these issues during his time in office and instead emphasized traditional gender roles and conservative family values.
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump offer starkly different visions for women’s rights and abortion. Harris is a strong advocate for expanding reproductive rights and access to abortion, aligning with the Democratic Party’s platform of safeguarding and codifying women’s rights into law. She also supports broader efforts to address gender inequality, both domestically and globally. In contrast, Trump is a vocal opponent of abortion and has used his influence, particularly through judicial appointments, to roll back abortion rights. His support for conservative social policies reflects a commitment to restricting reproductive rights and promoting traditional values. The 2024 election will provide voters with a clear choice on these critical issues, as the candidates’ positions reflect the deep divide in American politics over women’s rights and abortion.