Uncategorized

Feminism – 63 million FOETICIDE and counting

Posted on by Gerhard Peter BISCHOF in Uncategorized

63 million FOETICIDE and counting; Feminism.

"The Child who was never Born" by Martin Hudáceka is a statue in memory of the 63 million babies have been foeticided (before birth).

And that is only the USA.

Worldwide: 15.5 to 2 billion

Since the legalization of abortion in the United States with the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, there have been over 63 million reported abortions (as of recent estimates).

Key Statistics:

  • CDC Data: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports about 600,000–900,000 abortions annually in recent years.
  • Guttmacher Institute: A leading research organization tracking abortion, estimates over 63 million abortions from 1973 to 2023.
  • Recent Trends: Abortion rates peaked in the 1980s–1990s but have declined due to better contraception and fewer pregnancies.

Post-Dobbs v. Jackson (2022):

After the Supreme Court overturned Roe in 2022, some states banned abortion, leading to fewer legal abortions in restrictive states but increases in states where it remains legal.

Would you like data on a specific year or state?

Since the widespread legalization of abortion in many countries (starting in the mid-20th century), an estimated 1.5 to 2 billion abortions have occurred worldwide.

Key Estimates:

  • Guttmacher Institute (a leading reproductive health research organization) reports:
    • Approx. 73 million abortions per year globally (as of recent data).
    • Over 1.6 billion abortions since the 1980s (when global tracking improved).
  • World Health Organization (WHO):
    • Around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, mostly in countries with restrictive laws.
    • From 2010–2019, an estimated 500–600 million abortions occurred.

Historical Context:

  • Before 1950: Most abortions were illegal and uncounted.
  • 1950s–1970s: Many countries (USSR, UK, US, parts of Europe) began legalizing abortion.
  • 1980s–Present: Abortion rates peaked in the 1990s but have declined in developed nations due to contraception access.

Regional Differences:

  • Highest Rates: Eastern Europe, Caribbean, parts of Asia.
  • Lowest Rates: Western Europe, North America (due to better family planning).

Here’s a list of notable Jewish feminists since the 1960s who have made significant contributions to feminist theory, activism, politics, and culture:

Pioneers (1960s–1980s)

  1. Betty Friedan (1921–2006) – Author of The Feminine Mystique (1963), co-founder of the National Organization for Women (NOW).
  2. Gloria Steinem (b. 1934) – Journalist, founder of Ms. Magazine, key leader in second-wave feminism.
  3. Andrea Dworkin (1946–2005) – Radical feminist, anti-pornography activist, author of Woman Hating and Intercourse.
  4. Letty Cottin Pogrebin (b. 1939) – Co-founder of Ms. Magazine, author on feminism and Jewish identity.
  5. Phyllis Chesler (b. 1940) – Psychologist, author of Women and Madness, advocate for women’s rights globally.
  6. Shulamith Firestone (1945–2012) – Radical feminist, author of The Dialectic of Sex (1970), co-founder of New York Radical Women.

Feminist Theologians & Scholars

  1. Judith Plaskow (b. 1947) – Jewish feminist theologian, author of Standing Again at Sinai.
  2. Rachel Adler (b. 1943) – Feminist Jewish ethicist, author of Engendering Judaism.
  3. Susannah Heschel (b. 1956) – Scholar of Jewish feminism, daughter of Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Activists & Politicians

  1. Bella Abzug (1920–1998) – Congresswoman, co-founder of the National Women’s Political Caucus, "Battling Bella."
  2. Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933–2020) – U.S. Supreme Court Justice, pioneer in gender equality law.
  3. Robin Morgan (b. 1941) – Former editor of Ms. Magazine, author of Sisterhood Is Powerful.
  4. Heather Booth (b. 1945) – Civil rights and feminist organizer, founder of Jane Collective (abortion access).

Third-Wave & Contemporary Feminists

  1. Eve Ensler (b. 1953) – Playwright (The Vagina Monologues), activist against gender violence.
  2. Judith Butler (b. 1956) – Gender theorist, author of Gender Trouble.
  3. Anita Hill (b. 1956) – Legal scholar, testified against Clarence Thomas, advocate against sexual harassment.
  4. Lena Dunham (b. 1986) – Writer, actress (Girls), feminist voice in pop culture.
  5. Amy Schumer (b. 1981) – Comedian, advocate for reproductive rights and body positivity.

Jewish Feminist Writers & Cultural Figures

  1. Erica Jong (b. 1942) – Author of Fear of Flying (1973), explored female sexuality.
  2. Naomi Wolf (b. 1962) – Author of The Beauty Myth (1991), criticized beauty standards.
  3. Rebecca Walker (b. 1969) – Coined "third-wave feminism," daughter of Alice Walker.
  4. Dara Horn (b. 1977) – Novelist exploring Jewish women’s histories.

Israeli Feminists

  1. Alice Shalvi (1926–2023) – Educator, founder of the Israel Women’s Network.
  2. Anat Hoffman (b. 1954) – Leader of Women of the Wall, fights for gender equality in Judaism.

Abortion as a Jewish Religious Value

In Judaism, abortion is not considered murder (as in some Christian traditions) but is permitted—and sometimes required—under certain circumstances. Jewish law (Halacha) prioritizes the life and health of the pregnant person, making abortion access a moral and religious value in many Jewish traditions.