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Reproductive rights

One in four women will have an abortion in their lifetime, making access to care a key issue for communities across the country. With abortion policies now in the hands of individual states, local governments have a vital role to play in protecting reproductive rights.
Collage of woman speaking into microphone with background protest sign reading 'keep abortion legal'

Access to comprehensive reproductive health care is essential for individual autonomy and full participation in society. However, after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, many states have stripped pregnant people of their rights.

Today, more than 80% of the country has abortion bans or restrictions in place. As a result, states where abortion remains legal are seeing overwhelmed health care systems, struggling to meet the needs of both local patients and those forced to travel out of state for care. And anti-abortion states are escalating their attacks on patients and providers across state lines.

But, local governments have the power to push back. By leveraging the legal system, they can challenge harmful state policies, protect providers, and safeguard access to necessary care.

Public Rights Project works with local leaders to file litigation that aims to overturn or limit the harm of anti-abortion laws, while we also work to advance access, limit liability for serving out-of-state patients, and combat deceptive practices by anti-abortion groups.

Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
Committed to using government power for good
'Bans off our bodies' reproductive rights flashmob

How we work

Prosecutors, city attorneys, and state attorneys general need additional capacity, training, and immediate, nimble legal support to secure and expand access to reproductive rights. We have solutions.

Litigation: We initiate new litigation to advance abortion rights and add prosecutors’ voices into existing pro-abortion litigation through amicus briefs where we think their perspectives could influence court results.

Training: Our training prepares local government officials with the skills to be able to litigate effectively — either with us or on their own.

Convenings: We bring local government officials together to foster collaboration, address civil rights challenges, and develop actionable solutions.

Storytelling: We offer our legal expertise to the media and elevate stories of local officials standing up for reproductive rights.

 

What we do

Our impact

Reproductive rights impact
Since our founding in 2017, we’ve helped to advance reproductive rights and reduce criminalization in partnership with local government officials. After federal abortion protections ended in 2022, we moved into overdrive, pushing back against laws banning or limiting abortion, and fighting against deceptive practices by anti-abortion groups.
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Number of people PRP secured legal abortion access for in 2023

Featured legal cases

Join the fight for reproductive rights

We’re ready to provide legal support and training to local government officials who are working to protect and advance reproductive rights.
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