Information is essential to keeping all aspects of Planned Parenthood nimble, up-to-date, and fighting for reproductive health care rights in the best way possible.
Towards this purpose, the Communications Department is always monitoring the ever-changing news cycle.
As the evolving legal and political battles are being fought fast and furious over abortion rights, the Communications Department provides external media, press, and messaging work. Because of the recent onslaught of anti-abortion legislation across the country, their work has been intense, and more important than ever.
Nicole Erwin, Communications Manager, explained that everyone in the department rapidly responds to breaking news daily. They create messaging in conjunction and in collaboration with PPGNHAIK and Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, as well as PPFA (Planned Parenthood Federation of America), PPAF (Planned Parenthood Action Fund) and other organizations with common goals towards increasing reproductive health care access.
Especially with the latest news of Kentucky and Idaho’s respective abortion bans, this work has been paramount.
Requiring constant vigilance with the news across six states and the country, Erwin said that the team’s work is strategized to “promote sexual and reproductive health care services and education programs” as well as to inform and alert in response to breaking news.
This work is extremely necessary for the realization of Planned Parenthood’s mission on all levels, from care being provided in health centers, to educational programs increasing their reach, to strategy from leadership, and to the support from people in communities across the country.
Erwin explained that Communication’s ultimate goal is to uphold the mission of the organization and protect and promote reproductive health, rights and justice through media outreach and public visibility.
"It’s important that we raise awareness about anything that would restrict access, or increase access to reproductive health care,” Erwin said. “The more hostile the environment is to reproductive care, the more important the work becomes.”
She went on to explain that, currently, “Our biggest battle is helping people understand that despite the incessant anti-abortion legislation that continues to pass, these restrictions are not what most people want. The more voices we can have in support of reproductive care, the louder our message gets.”
Communications also does the important work of collecting and sharing out patient stories. Erwin noted, “Whether it is empowering a person to tell their story or following up with comments we receive on social media posts, we do our best to make sure their questions, comments and concerns are heard.”
It is thanks to the work of the Communications Department that Planned Parenthood is able to respond quickly to the challenges of new legislative developments and do everything possible to keep reproductive care available to all who need it.
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