Policy and Advocacy

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Advancing Reproductive Justice

The purpose of NLIRH's Policy and Advocacy program is to advance the reproductive health and rights of Latinas around the country. Our policy advocacy takes the form of legislative action, public education, coalition building and leadership building at the state and federal levels.

Our policy agenda reflects the voice of the Latino community through the work of our Community Mobilization department, bringing the Latino voice to the forefront. WHY? Because NLIRH strongly believes that our policy work must be informed by the needs of the Latino community. Our National Advisory Committee also serves as a forum for state and local activists to influence our national agenda.

Get Involved in NLIRH's Campaigns
Currently we are working on three campaigns to protect Latinas' reproductive rights:

Participation is Empowerment

How can you get involved in protecting your reproductive rights?

The 110th Congress will begin its new legislative session in January 2007 that means that YOU can be a vital source of information for your Congressperson.
PARTICIPATE. Know who your Representative and Senators are and DEVELOP a relationship with them and the political process. NLIRH wants you to get active NOW by representing the Latina voice in the fight for reproductive justice in the political dialogue:

Know your rights!

Inform your community!

Write your representative!

Let the Latina voice be heard!

Protecting Latinas' Reproductive Rights in the Courts

Know Your Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the United States, has played an essential role in protecting our reproductive rights, including the right to contraception and abortion. The courts have also failed to protect women’s reproductive rights in a number of cases. The U.S. Supreme Court recently had two justices appointed to the bench who have in the past been openly anti-choice. However, it is crucial that all justices of the court uphold women’s constitutionally protected right to choose. Now, more than ever, is the time for us to pay attention to any constitutional challenge to our reproductive freedom.

How does a case get to the U.S. Supreme Court? Find out!

Challenges to Choice

On November 8, 2006, the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed Gonzales v. Carhart and Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood. Carhart and Planned Parenthood, argued by the Center for Reproductive Rights, two challenges to the Federal Abortion Ban, also known as the "Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003."

What next?
We wait for the Justices to make their decision and issue an opinion.  Check back for updated information as we continue to monitor these cases and support legal efforts to protect  reproductive rights.

Want to learn more about the Supreme Court?
View a list of the Justices, or check out our Supreme Court Primer(link to document).

National Latina Agenda for Reproductive Justice

The agenda lays out a set of policy recommendations for improving the reproductive health and rights of Latinas at the federal and state level.  It is our hope that the agenda will serve as a useful contribution to the Latina reproductive justice movement, as well as the national efforts to broaden the reproductive rights movement.

National Advisory Committee The National Advisory Committee (NAC) is a resource entity and sounding board for our policy program.  The Committee assists in moving our policy agenda forward by advising on specific strategies and policy solutions.  The Committee also serves the purpose of participating in strategy discussions around politically engaging Latinos by addressing reproductive rights, health care access and immigration policy.  If you would like to learn more about NAC or its members, please call us at 212-422-2553 email us at nlirh@latinainstitute.org.