Joyce Arthur

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada

Founder and Executive Director of the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, a national political pro-choice group.

The Limits of Free Speech

Hate speech should not be tolerated in the name of free speech. It has real and devastating effects on peoples' lives and risks their health and safety. It's harmful and divisive for communities and hampers social progress in fighting discrimination. Left unchecked, hate speech can lead to war and genocide. Although the right to free speech is a fundamental value, it should not be allowed to outweigh the basic human rights of other people, especially their right to life.

Criminalized Abortion Overshadows Good News of Reduced Unsafe Abortion Deaths

Researchers at the World Health Organization have recently documented  a substantial decrease in the numbers of unsafe abortion deaths, but the incidence of unsafe abortion itself has not decreased. Anti-abortion laws in developing countries cause grave harm and endanger women's lives and health. As long as these antiquated laws remain in place,  unsafe abortion and its resulting maternal mortality and morbidity will continue.