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Enough is enough. Many of the basic rights women have fought to acquire and maintain are under assault thanks to the GOP’s unabashed war on women. Since January 2010, over 400 bills have been introduced throughout the United States attacking our reproductive rights and stripping away the freedom to make our own medical decisions.

Ohioans are certainly not immune to the war on women raging through both national and state governments. The Buckeye State has introduced a wave of unnecessary anti-women legislation. HB 125, the “Heartbeat Bill,” passed the Ohio House and is stalled in Senate. If passed, it would ban abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, often as early as six weeks. Gov. John Kasich signed HB 179, which prohibits health insurance plans involved in state health exchanges from covering abortions. Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine approved language for a “Personhood” initiative which would effectively ban all abortions in the state, as well as forms of contraception and fertility treatments. Just last week, House Republicans inserted language into Kasich’s mid-budget review bill to take away federal funding from Planned Parenthood. Sadly, this is only a small glimpse of the Ohio GOP’s recent anti-women agenda.

Reproductive rights are a mere fraction of the growing war on women. Republicans stand in opposition of reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which would provide equal compensation to women, was blocked by a filibuster in the Senate. GOP candidates seek to drastically overhaul Medicare and Medicaid forcing poor women, children and the elderly to pay the price.

UniteWomen.org is mobilizing to stop the war on women. Help defend women’s rights and pursuit of equality. Join Americans all over the United States on April 28th, 2012, as we come together as one to tell members of Congress in Washington DC and legislators all over the country..."enough is enough!" All people should have the freedom to make medical decisions about their own care and well-being without intrusions from government, business or religious ideologies. Individuals and families have the right to choose, or reject birth control, and to determine the size of their family based on their own beliefs and values without intrusions.

Everyone is welcome to join the April 28th rally at the Ohio Statehouse at 10 a.m. We must stand together and demand that every person be granted equal opportunities, equal rights, and equal representation. It’s time to let elected officials and private interests know we will no longer remain silent amid the onslaught of attacks. Indeed, a war on women has been waged and we are ready for battle. April 28th is only the beginning.