About Iris
The State of Reproductive Justice in 2026
Since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022, both state and federal government officials have continued the attack on our bodies and freedoms. As of March 2026, 41 states have implemented policies that limit abortion to some extent, 13 of which have enacted total abortion bans, with very limited exceptions. For example, these bans generally contain exceptions to save the pregnant person’s life, but experts have noted that the ambiguity behind them, in combination with the tremendous legal risks that abortion providers face from the bans, creates barriers that make exceptions difficult to implement.
The Guttmacher Institute created this interactive map, allowing viewers to see different states’ abortion policies.
The consequences of these barriers and bans are fatal. Stories continue to emerge detailing how pregnant people, experiencing the impacts of abortion bans, have died.
The fight for abortion rights and access is an essential piece of the Reproductive Justice movement, but it is not the only piece. Athena Project’s definition of Reproductive Justice, which has been informed by the work of both historical and contemporary activists—including the group of 12 Black women who created the Repro Justice framework—encompasses demands for bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom, and social justice, including: equitable access to contraception, gender-affirming care, comprehensive and inclusive sex education, a living wage, safe environments for child-raising, and more.
Access to many of these rights continues to be restricted, with the Trump Administration’s “defunding” of Planned Parenthood, the proliferation of state laws restricting young people’s access to gender-affirming care, and more.
Additionally, the ongoing threat of cuts to healthcare and food assistance programs, combined with rising costs and many people’s lack of access to a living wage, mean that reproductive healthcare resources and resources to raise children remain out of reach for many—especially for those already experiencing structural marginalization and injustice.
We are aware. We are angry. And we must take action. Join us, won’t you?
#ArtInAction: Athena’s 2026 Reproductive Justice Campaign
At Athena, we recognize that, in the fight for these essential rights, art is a powerful and necessary force. Every Tuesday, we amplify an artist creating in the space of Reproductive Justice, sharing their work across our social media platforms.
And, in May of 2026, we are launching a month-long extended Reproductive Justice campaign, during which we will amplify several pieces of Reproductive Justice art per week, on top of our regularly-scheduled Tuesday posts. The campaign, however, does not stop there. With every campaign art share, we call on YOU to take action in support of reproductive rights.
Every week of the campaign, we will suggest tangible to-dos for you to support Repro Justice. We encourage folks to check their voter registration status, call their members of Congress, donate to or volunteer with a local Reproductive Justice organization, and attend a protest to advocate for reproductive rights.
New to these action items? Don’t worry! Another blog post at the start of the campaign will contain detailed instructions and templates to help guide you through the process. Participation in the campaign will lead to opportunities to win a free Repro Justice art print or piece of Athena merch (stay tuned for more details).
Though the campaign officially kicks off in May, submissions are currently open for people who would like to share their Reproductive Justice artwork for us to amplify. To accompany our campaign action items, we are looking for work that falls under one of the following categories:
Option 1: Protest Sign Share
We invite you to share a photo of a protest sign you made that relates to Reproductive Justice AND/OR a photo you took of someone else’s Reproductive Justice-related protest sign. Please make sure that no face is visible in the photographs you submit, unless it is your own.
Protest sign featuring the Audre Lorde quote: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Photo by Charlotte Bassin
Protest sign that reads, “I will not go quietly back to the 1950s.” Photo by Aimee Starr.
Option 2: General Reproductive Justice Art Share
You may also share a piece of art, created in any medium, so long as it relates to at least one of the many facets of our Reproductive Justice definition. Additionally, if you have a piece of Repro Justice-focused art that speaks to one of our campaign action items (checking your voter registration status, calling your member of Congress, volunteering for or donating to a local Repro Justice organization, and attending a protest), we encourage you to share it, as we are looking to inspire our audiences to participate in these action items through the art we receive and amplify.
If you have a piece that you would like to share and you are willing for us to amplify it on our social media channels, newsletter, and website (either anonymously or with credit), please complete the following submission form.
As a bonus, everyone who shares their work through the submission form will be entered into a drawing to receive a FREE Reproductive Justice art print or piece of Athena merch. You may make as many submissions as you would like, and each submission will count as an additional entry for the drawing, so long as each submission contains a different art piece. The winner will be revealed by the end of June and will receive their prize of choice in July 2026.
This piece, which reads, “Abortion is a Human Right,” and encourages audiences to “educate,” “vote,” and “mobilize” around abortion rights, was created by Caitlin Blunnie, @liberaljane on Instagram.
This piece reads, “When Rage Becomes Resistance,” and was created by Athena’s own Dakota Harlow.
Stay Tuned for Campaign Updates
Find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn to check out our ongoing Tuesday Reproductive Justice art shares and stay tuned for updates about the May #ArtInAction Reproductive Justice Campaign. We invite you to like and share these posts to raise campaign awareness and visibility.
If you are looking for more ways to support Athena Project, you can become an Athena volunteer or donate to support our work.
We recognize that the action items centered in our campaign may not be safe and accessible for everyone, especially amidst ongoing attacks on immigrant communities, communities of color, and LGBTQ+ people. We invite everyone to participate in our campaign to whatever extent they are able, knowing that there are many powerful ways to engage with the issue of Reproductive Justice that we have not explicitly named in our campaign. We are grateful for everyone who is taking peaceful action in support of Repro Justice, recognizing that such actions can look different for everyone. We invite you to reach out to us and let us know what actions you have taken to support Repro Justice, even if they are different than the action items featured in the campaign or if sharing on social media feels unsafe.
Our actions matter, and our activism makes a difference.
In solidarity and in community,
Iris
#ReproductiveJustice Campaign Coordinator