Jameela Jamil says having an abortion was the 'best decision' she ever made

The Good Place actor condemned strict abortion laws in America

Sarah Young
Tuesday 14 May 2019 09:38 BST
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Georgia governor Brian Kemp signs controversial Heartbeat abortion ban

Jameela Jamil has described an abortion she had when she was younger as the “best decision” she ever made as she criticised Georgia's abortion ban.

Last week, Georgia became the fourth US state this year to make abortion illegal as soon as a heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the NHS states, before many women even know they are pregnant.

The other states to have passed the law include Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio.

On Monday, the Good Place actor shared a thread of posts on Twitter regarding the foetal heartbeat law, calling it “inhumane” and “blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women”.

“This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist,” Jamil wrote.

Jamil continued: ”I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn't want, and wasn't ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially.

The actor and body positivity advocate continued by addressing the large number of children that end up in foster homes before suggesting Georgia’s new law will mean the state could become “inundated with children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for”.

“It will be hard to find great fostering for them all,” Jamil explained.

”The anti-abortion law is also especially targeted at those without the means/ability to move state.

“Women who are marginalised, poor or disabled will, as ever, be the ones to suffer the most.

”The wealthy will have so much more freedom.“

Jamil isn’t the only celebrity to speak out against the ban.

Last week, actor Alyssa Milano posted a message on Twitter calling for women to join her in a sex strike to protest against strict abortion laws in America.

”Our reproductive rights are being erased,“ she wrote.

”Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy.

“Join me by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back.

”I'm calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on.“

Planned Parenthood released a statement moments after the bill was signed by the governor, and pledged to take Georgia to task over the abortion policy.

“Planned Parenthood will be suing the State of Georgia. We will fight this terrible bill because this is about our patients' lives,” Dr Leana Wen, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said.

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