Reproductive violence and environmental injustice in the United States: opportunities to promote justice, equity, and inclusion

ABSTRACT

This conceptual article highlights the intersections of the historical and current status of reproductive violence and environmental injustices in the United States. Environmental injustices intersect with individuals’ ability to determine whether and when to have children and how to parent in safe and sustainable communities, affirming their culture. Current trends exacerbate racial, ethnic, and cultural disparities. The Grand Challenges of Social Work mandates the profession to identify new perspectives and opportunities for change. Reproductive justice and environmental justice offer comprehensive human rights and justice-based frameworks that edify systemic oppression and call for equitable solutions. Social work practice, research, and education can benefit from following reproductive justice and environmental justice frameworks recommended to identify opportunities and solutions. Opportunities for social work are outlined at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

KEYWORDS:

• The Grand Challenges of Social Work
• reproductive justice
• reproductive violence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).