Lawless: Abortion under Complete Decriminalization

Join Dr. Martha Paynter to explore her 20-year effort in promoting abortion access in Canada

As an activist, writer, nurse, and public scholar, she is renowned worldwide for her knowledge at the intersection of reproductive justice and prisoner health.

While Canada stands alone in fully decriminalizing abortion, many nations are making strides toward similar freedoms. In stark contrast, the United States has lost ground.

Against this backdrop, nurse and scholar Martha Paynter explores why experts oppose restrictive abortion laws, grounding her analysis in both historical context and current realities.

Despite the absence of criminal laws, Canada’s health and human rights frameworks still impact access to care. Barriers persist, including uneven availability, unclear information, and refusals based on personal beliefs.

Join Martha as she draws from her extensive experience as a clinician, researcher, and activist, and hear her speak about how abortion care is implemented in practice and what changes are necessary to achieve true equity.

Hosted by the Department of Political Science Speakers Series and the Grounded and Engaged Theory Lab.

For more information, contact Dr. Candace Johnson.