Real Talk 15th May 2019 by Megan Roantree
Milla Jovovich and Jameela Jamil Both Shared Their Very Different Abortion Stories
These actresses' different experiences highlight the complexity of the matter.
In the US right now, reforms in abortion law is taking place in a number of states making it more difficult for women to access terminations.
This has unsurprisingly evoked a lot emotion in people all over the world, including many celebrities who are now using their platform to share their own abortion stories.
Last week, Busy Philips shared her own abortion story on her show Busy Tonight, and now two stars have shared their very different experiences, helping to highlight how it can be different for everyone.
In a passionate post, The Good Place actress Jameela Jamil said her abortion was ‘the best decision’ she ever made, due to her circumstances.
“I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel,” she said.
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel.
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
“This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist,” Jameela said over on Instagram.
“I’m so stunned that our world is not only behind, it’s moving backwards. This hurts my heart in so many different ways, and in particular as a rape victim. I can’t imagine having fallen pregnant and being FORCED BY LAW to carry his baby to term, and see someone who looked like him every day, otherwise I can get the death penalty?! How do we help the women of Georgia? And Northern Ireland where this nightmare is ongoing.”
Hellboy actress Milla Jovovich later shared her story on a traumatic emergency abortion.
“I myself went through an emergency abortion 2 years ago. I was 4 1/2 months pregnant and shooting on location in Eastern Europe. I went into pre term labor and told that I had to be awake for the whole procedure. It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. I still have nightmares about it. I was alone and helpless,” she recalled.
View this post on Instagram
“When I think about the fact that women might have to face abortions in even worse conditions than I did because of new laws, my stomach turns. I spiraled into one of the worst depressions of my life and had to work extremely hard to find my way out. I took time off of my career. I isolated myself for months and had to keep a strong face for my two amazing kids.”
Abortion is a nightmare at its best. No woman wants to go through that. But we have to fight to make sure our rights are preserved to obtain a safe one if we need to. I never wanted to speak about this experience. But I cannot remain silent when so much is at stake,” she said.
The two very different stories highlight the complexity of abortion, and how restrictions can seriously impact women mentally and physically.
Since the news America’s restrictions came to light, many people are using this to remind people that Northern Ireland still has a total abortion ban, despite the republic voting to legalise it this year.
“The UK Government’s silence on the situation in Northern Ireland is putting the UK in the same camp as those US states pushing women’s reproductive health back into the dark ages” Grainne Teggart, Amnesty UK’s Northern Ireland campaign manager, said.
Visit nowforni.uk for more information.