Released on May 3, 2022

Statement by National NOW President Christian F. Nunes  

WASHINGTON, DC—By signing the new six-week abortion ban, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has proven, yet again, that misogyny and cruelty are his core values. Stitt and the right-wing extremists who control the state legislature, have advanced a dystopian vision for Oklahoma straight out of The Handmaid’s Tale, where women cannot make their own health care decisions or retain control over their bodily autonomy. 

These reprehensible forced-birth policies have nothing to do with women’s health.  They are about politicians seeking more power over women’s lives, their health, and their future. Oklahoma is taking a dangerous step today that other states will soon imitate—and they won’t stop until all abortion care is illegal—everywhere. 

NOW members are determined to keep fighting to ensure that every woman has access to abortion care—and to stop states like Oklahoma from endangering women’s lives, all for the sake of a hate-fueled brand of politics based on misogyny, fear, and lies. We won’t let them succeed.   

# # #  

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the nation’s leading membership-based advocacy group dedicated to defending women’s rights, advancing equality and combating injustice in all aspects of social, political and economic life. Through educating, mobilizing, and convening a vast network of grassroots activists across the country, NOW advocates for national, state and local policies that promote an anti-racist and intersectional feminist agenda. Since its founding in 1966, NOW has been on the frontlines of nearly every major advancement for women’s rights and continues to champion progressive values today. More about NOW’s efforts and resources is available at NOW.org. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,