Aussie model Robyn Lawley shared her personal abortion story during a recent public appearance and criticised the US for its abortion ban.
Aussie model Robyn Lawley opened up about her own abortion experience during a recent public appearance and criticised the US’ decision to overturn Roe vs Wade, the landmark ruling which granted federal protection to abortion rights across the United States.
Lawley, who is based in the United States, also added that the US’ decision to remove protection for abortion could seriously jeopardise the future of reproductive health and pro-choice movements across the world.
Speaking to I’ve Got News For You, Lawley described her own experience with abortion in Australia and how it saved her life when she was diagnosed with lupus after giving birth to her first child.
Her condition meant that having a second child could put her life at risk, which is why she decided on an abortion when she got pregnant a second time around.
“At the time that I made the decision to have an abortion, I was having active lupus – and having a stroke is the scariest thing that’s ever happened to me, I just didn’t want to have a stroke again,” she told the podcast.
“I had to take anti-epileptic drugs, and that can cause deformities on the baby, so that was a big decision maker for me, but also financially and emotionally,” she added.
“Having an abortion is such a big decision …(and) the decision still haunts me – I’m not going to say it was an easy decision or I walked out of it free – I still think about ‘what ifs’, you can’t help it.” she said.
This is why, she said, the US’ overturning of Roe vs Wade meant worries for people’s reproductive health and pro-choice movements across the world. When the US sets a trend, others usually follow.
“I think Australians might forget that, it could happen to Australia, anytime, with your rights – and America sets trends and other countries follow suit,” she said.
“That’s what I’m more scared of … I think it’s such an extreme stance that it could potentially lead to more scary things.” she added.
Lawley also clarified that while her own decision to abort was medically motivated, the decision – at the end – could be entirely different, yet equally valid.
“If you get pregnant, and you want to keep the baby, because you’re very religious, that’s your choice, good for you,” she explained. “But if you want to not keep the baby, that’s my choice, I should be able to have my choice, stop trying to preach your desires on me … everyone’s different but don’t be enforcing your religious beliefs on me.”
Check out Robyn Lawley’s post on Instagram supporting abortion rights:
