Abortion glossary :: Autonomy
Bodily autonomy is a an essential aspect of human rights and freedoms. It means that every individual, which necessarily includes every pregnant person, has the right and the freedom to decide what happens to their own body.
Without bodily autonomy, a person is not free to live a fulfilling life in the manner that they want or need to. If a person who is suffering from a medical condition - which includes pregnancy - is prevented from obtaining the necessary medical treatment to resolve said condition, then they are prevented from exercising their bodily autonomy, which means they are prohibited from enjoying a better quality of life.
When a pregnant person who doesn't want to be pregnant is denied access to abortion, they are effectively being enslaved as a human incubator, and, in addition to putting this person at risk of serious and potentially-lethal health problems, the prohibition of exercising their human rights and freedoms relegates them to a lower class of individual in society, which can be tremendously devastating for them.
Why I Advocate for the Universal Normalization of Autonomy...
Because autonomy isn't a privilege,
it's a birthright.
- Only you live inside your body. Only you can interpret your sensations, your needs, your boundaries. No one else can feel your pain or joy from the inside out. 🧠
- Sentience and self-awareness mean we can feel trapped. Under coercion, surveillance, or control, even the most resilient minds can fracture. Autonomy is the antidote. 🔍
- Empathy and compassion demand respect for others’ choices. You don’t have to understand someone’s path to honour their right to walk it. ❤
- Privacy and dignity are not luxuries. They are the scaffolding of a humane society. Without them, we reduce people to objects. 🕊
- Empowerment over your body leads to healthier, happier lives. Especially when paired with accessible medical care and mental health support. Autonomy is preventative medicine. 🌱
- No one is responsible for your autonomous choices but you. Not your partner, not your parent, not your government. Responsibility and freedom are inseparable. 🔓
- Person ownership is abuse. Always. No exceptions. No euphemisms. Autonomy is the line that separates care from control. 🚫
By AgonyAunt Bella, posted on Twitter on August 12, 2025.