Inclusion Center celebrates World Contraception Day
On Sept. 26, the USU Inclusion Center celebrated World Contraception Day with coffee, pastries, free handouts, puzzles and a safe place for students to get educated on what the day means.
Anna Cliff, the women and gender equity intern, said the day is about raising awareness for all types of contraception.
“We all think that it is very important to be educated on the different types of contraception you can use as a woman,” Cliff said. “We also think it is a great day to educate others on reproductive justice for everyone, and this includes a lot more people than you’d think.”
The center used the day as an opportunity to educate others by handing out articles with empowering messages.
Throughout the event, the center welcomed many different people in, not only to educate themselves but also to be in a safe place.
“My favorite part about this place is how safe it is,” Cliff said. “It doesn’t matter who you are or when you come in, there will always be someone to try and help you with your needs.”
Business major Ally Davis said she enjoyed how thoughtfully curated everything at the event was.
“They have buttons for everyone, activities for everyone, and they always make sure that everyone is feeling included and safe,” Davis said.
The Inclusion Center offered many different hand outs to raise awareness for safe contraception for everyone on Sept. 26.
In the article, “Reproductive Justice for Disabled Women: Ending Systemic Discrimination,” Emily DiMatteo, Osub Ahmed and Vilissa Thompson discuss the misunderstandings, key issues and barriers disabled women face.
“There are several key issues essential to ensuring reproductive equity and justice for disabled women: access to reproductive health care; forced sterilization; guardianship; sex education; parenthood; and sexual violence. People with disabilities face numerous barriers to accessing reproductive health care including accessible facilities and resources and accessible transportation,” the article said.
Kaylee Bullock, co-president of Students United for Reproductive Freedom, said she started advocating for World Contraception Day because of personal experiences that guided her.
“I started working here and advocating for this day because there have been moments in my life where I have felt like I didn’t have autonomy over my body,” Bullock said. “So, when I heard about this position where I could work for Planned Parenthood and this University, I jumped at the opportunity.”
Bullock recommended a healthy outlet for anger.
“When you have your rights and autonomy taken away from you, it just makes you angry, and one of the only ways to combat that anger is through advocacy,” Bullock said.
Throughout the day, Bullock educated people on the importance of contraception.
“At Planned Parenthood, we are very passionate about contraception,” Bullock said. “It is important to be able to make decisions about your own body, and decide if you want to have kids and be sexually active and all of those things.”
Bullock said Planned Parenthood is about being able to choose what your life and family will be like.
“That is why contraception is important,” Bullock said. “It gives us the opportunity to choose that and it protects us from having to make very hard decisions.”
According to Bullock, contraception gives people the opportunity to make safe and responsible choices, and the Inclusion Center is a great place to go to for the education and assistance one may need.
The Inclusion Center is on the top floor of the TSC, and they are always open. They have different events throughout the year open to all.