By Faviola Robles

A woman who has an unplanned pregnancy whether it is through unprotected sex or rape, should have a say in what they plan to do.

However, the government currently decides whether they have the right to choose to terminate their pregnancy or not. A number of these women, and unfortunately many times, young teenage girls who have been taken advantage of.

These women are afraid to say anything, and when they finally do speak up nothing is done to support them. They are ridiculed. Various times they are referred to as “sluts” or “whores.” By the very act their voice, in a way, is taken away. Countless do not speak up afraid of what society will think of them. And for the most part these women are teenagers. About 820,000 teens become pregnant each year. Although we are given endless of sources to be conscious of the consequences of sex, such as: Planned Parenthood and County Health Departments, many teens are unaware of these consequences. Rather than taking health they choose to take a gym class. And continue their years without being fully aware of what can happen in one night.

Apart from teenage pregnancies, rape victims are looked down upon as well. An average of 54 percent of sexual assaults in the last 5 years have gone unreported. Politicians continue to blur the lines between rape, pregnancy, and abortion. A woman’s right to choose whether to end the pregnancy or not is her choice and her choice alone. These women find little support; they are looked down upon, and denied. They face limited options for dealing with the unwanted pregnancy, resulting in illegal and dangerous abortion methods.

Laws such as one in Texas (effective since October 1) requires the women to receive counseling, in hopes of persuading them to change their decision. They are also required to go through an ultrasound and the provider must show and describe the image of the baby. These types of laws only make them feel guiltier; they already had to make a hard-hitting decision. It is unfair to put them through that.

Even though I do believe we are responsible for our actions and should be aware of what we are doing, I also believe that ultimately the woman has the choice, and no one should look down on them, or make the choice for them.