Tomorrow 31 men and three women will decide if virtually all abortions will be banned in Alabama, pending Gov. Ivey’s signature.
Alabama has the sixth lowest percentage of female legislative representation in the country. Women make up just over 15 percent of Alabama’s legislature, but only 11 percent of the state Senate, leaving issues that primarily affect women up to the men. There are four women in the Alabama state senate, but one is not expected to be there for Tuesday’s vote due to illness.
“When it comes to female health, when male legislators are passing bills about female health and reproductive systems, they might be doing so with a misunderstanding of how those systems work,” Elyse Shaw, study director at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research
According to a study by the women’s research group, the Status of Women in the States, Alabama ranks dead last among states for women, tied with Mississippi, and earning it the title of “the worst state for women.” The rankings took into consideration Alabama women’s high rates of heart disease, diabetes and Chlamydia as well as the state’s wage gap. Women make on average $34,400 a year compared to the average man’s salary of $46,000.
The abortion ban bill that would outlaw almost all instances of abortion, was sponsored by one of 18 women in the Alabama House of Representatives - Terri Collins - but was co-sponsored by 67 other representatives, including five other Republican women.
Collins has previously stated directly that the goal of her legislation is to get the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and that’s why she opposes any attempt to add language to the bill that would make exceptions for victims of rape or incest.
“There's been lots of research done [about] having more women in office brings a diversity of understanding to the laws that are passed,” Shaw said. “When there are more women in elected office, more resources get put toward local constituencies, especially at the congressional level making sure that more money is going toward healthcare and education.”
State Senator Vivian Figures said she is frustrated by the lack of women in the legislature. Last week Figures spoke over Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, after he quickly led a voice vote on whether to remove a rape and incest amendment from the abortion ban bill.
“I know this bill is going to pass. You’re going to get your way,” Figures said last Thursday. “At least treat us fairly and do it the right way. That’s all that I ask. That’s all that my Democratic colleagues ask. That’s all that women in this state ask, both Democratic and Republican women.”
Figures said the legislature needs more women, but not more women who will only stick to voting with a party agenda. As one of just four women in the room last week, she felt the need to make sure everyone’s voice was heard.
“I do feel empowered to make my voice heard,” Figures said. “That’s all I can do. As long as you do that and that’s why we fight so hard.”
Figures is currently working to change the wording in Alabama’s rape requirement laws. Under Alabama’s current rape laws, a survivor must prove “earnest resistance,” or that they fought back against the perpetrator.
Meanwhile, Rep. Dickie Drake, R-Leeds, has introduced a bill that would make it a crime to falsely accuse someone of a sexual crime, a bill that sexual assault advocates said would make it harder for victims of sexual assault to come forward.
It is one of at least four bills - all written by Alabama men - being considered that primarily concerns women, including a bill requiring minors to present a birth certificate to obtain an abortion.