WASHINGTON: As the abortion debate continues to polarise society, US President Joe Biden has issued an executive order on abortion access.
Abolishing the constitutional protection of women's right to an abortion nationwide, the US Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe V. Wade decision two weeks prior to Friday's action, as per reports.
According to the White House, the executive order intends to protect, among other things, patient privacy, access to correct information, and access to reproductive health care services. However, the presidential directive won't completely restore the right to an abortion.
It further instructs Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra to provide a report on such efforts within 30 days.
The Attorney General and White House Counsel have also been instructed by the President to call a meeting of private volunteer attorneys and public interest groups to promote legal representation for people seeking or providing reproductive health care.
One of the most contentious topics in the US has been abortion. The right to choose to have an abortion is largely protected by the US Constitution, according to the Supreme Court decision of 1973.
However, pro-abortion organisations have aggressively fought to have the ruling overturned, fighting the other side in court and in public opinion fights over the matter for decades. The Women's March has scheduled a protest in Washington, D.C. for this coming Saturday in an effort to put further pressure on the White House to defend abortion rights.
UN human rights Commissioner blasts US abortion ruling
Biden pledges to protect women travelling for abortions
US Supreme Court rejects abortion rights