A federal judge in Texas, appointed by former president Donald Trump, has placed a hold on the long-established approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. This move alerts American women after their right to abort was banned in nearly 12 states last June.
A small step for conservative Americans and an immense step backward for women’s rights were taken this Friday. The conservative Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk has taken a controversial step by suspending women's autonomy. The Texan judge is trying to prevent the use of a medication used for the last two decades in the U.S. to terminate unwanted pregnancies.
This ruling has provoked extensive disputes and criticism, with a large number of people claiming that it is a frontal attack on women's freedom.
Context of the Case
The U.S. Department of Justice’s 67-page opinion was written by the Texan judge to suspend the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone. The drug is an anti-progestational steroid pill created to end early pregnancies. So far, very rare cases of side effects and risks have been seen. Yet, this was Kackmaryk’s main stance against the pill.
Kackmaryk’s Stand
The judge claimed that the FDA's approval of the medication violates federal rules as only four years were spent studying it. According to the judge, this time is not enough to allow the FDA to determine the inflammatory and psychological effects of such a drug.
The magistrate’s action was mainly supported by conservative groups such as March for Life. The group referred to the hold as "a major step forward for women."
Anti-women Propaganda?
Several feminist organizations denounced Kacsmaryk’s ruling. Women's rights advocate and university researcher Allison Whelan, also an assistant professor of law at Georgia State University thinks that what truly motivates the Texan judge is an anti-abortion ideology. She told the U.S. BBC, "He did not cite the many studies refuting his conclusions."
The news shocked the entire world over the weekend, with the future of the country remaining uncertain for now. Only time will reveal what the future holds for American women.
Edited by Adedamola Aregbesola
Share This Post On
0 comments
Leave a comment
You need to login to leave a comment. Log-in
