Alabama abortion restriction: New bill requires men to have a vasectomy

An Alabama legislator has proposed a new bill which seeks to “neutralize the abortion bill” by throwing the focus on men instead of it being solely on women.

In the proposed bill, men who have attained 50 years of age or had their third child would be required to have a vasectomy.

In an interview, Rep. Rolanda Hollis who proposed the bill said, “The vasectomy bill is to help with the reproductive system. We can’t put all the responsibility on women. Men need to be responsible also.”

This was in response to the near-total abortion ban that saw medical practitioners in Alabama forbidden from performing abortions unless the mother’s life is at risk.

The bill became very unpopular among Americans because it didn’t take into consideration special cases such as rape and incest. According to a poll run by Huffpost, 57% of Americans disapproved of the law.

Nevertheless, in October, a federal judge blocked this ban from going into effect.

Rep Hollis’ bill brings to light the skewed nature of reproductive rights which are more focussed on the woman rather than both individuals, since, as she said, “…it takes two to tango.”

“Under existing law, there are no restrictions on the reproductive rights of men,” read part of the bill.

While some have come out to express their doubts that the bill will become law, many have applauded its attempt to throw focus on the need for women to be put in charge of their reproductive health.

“It really does underscore the hypocrisy of Alabama’s legislature in making medical decisions for women that it would never make for men,” said Randall Marshall to CNN. Marshall is the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama.