Parallel paths: abortion access restrictions in the USA and Iran

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Public Health Policy
• Comparative Law

Background:

• Reproductive rights are essential for gender equality and public health.
• Access to abortion, contraception, and healthcare is often restricted by cultural, religious, and political factors.
• These restrictions create global barriers to equitable care and justice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine and compare abortion laws and policies in the United States and Iran.
• To identify similarities and differences in their restrictive approaches to reproductive rights.
• To understand how geopolitical and ideological contexts shape reproductive governance.

Main Methods:

• This study employed a narrative review methodology.
• It involved examining and comparing abortion laws and policies in the US and Iran.
• The review focused on identifying key similarities and differences in restrictive approaches.

Main Results:

• Both the US and Iran exhibit restrictive abortion policies despite ideological differences.
• Key similarities include the politicization of abortion, cultural/religious influences, and disproportionate impacts on marginalized populations.
• Differences lie in the US's decentralized, state-specific legal landscape versus Iran's centralized theocratic governance driven by demographic goals.

Conclusions:

• Geopolitical and ideological contexts significantly shape reproductive health outcomes and governance.
• Analogous restrictive trends in the US and Iran highlight global challenges in advancing reproductive justice.
• Addressing barriers requires national policy reforms and international advocacy for reproductive autonomy and human rights.