We work to eliminate reproductive oppression.
We fight for an end to criminalization of people who have abortions and pregnancy losses, for young people’s access to abortion care, for birth justice, for the right of families to stay together without the state policing them, and for economic justice.
Every day, we work directly with people facing reproductive oppression. Their life experiences and needs inform how we approach our issues, to ensure that we can truly transform lives and laws.
Pregnancy and Abortion Criminalization
People have been investigated, arrested, and prosecuted for their abortion and pregnancy loss long before Roe was overturned in 2022. Now, the fear and legal risk have only increased.
If/When/How works to end the criminalization of pregnancy and abortion by defending people in court, educating people about their rights and ways they can use their power to stop criminalization, and eliminating laws and practices that allow criminalization to happen.
Learn More:
→ Self-Care, Criminalized
→ Guidance for journalists covering criminalization cases
→ Moira Akers v. State
Family Justice
Parents and families deserve support, not punishment and separation.
If/When/How advances family justice by helping families targeted by the family policing system. The Repro Legal Helpline serves as a first line of defense for parents, the Repro Legal Defense Fund keeps parents out of jail so they aren’t separated from their children, and we collaborate with partners to advocate for change.
Learn more:
→ Health care providers can stop family policing
→ CAPTA Reporting Requirements for Medical Professionals
→ [Webinar] How can repro challenge the family policing system?
Birth Justice
Everyone deserves respect, support, and dignity throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
If/When/How advances birth justice by ensuring that pregnant people’s civil and human rights are upheld throughout their pregnancy, and that their decisions about their health and pregnancy are respected.
If someone experiences racism, discrimination, or mistreatment during any stage of their pregnancy, we are here to help. We challenge states who automatically discard pregnant people’s advance directives–and win! We also provide legal services if someone experiences mistreatment during birth.
Learn more:
→ Issue brief on pregnancy exclusion laws and end-of-life care
→ Vernon v. Kobach
→ Koskenoja v. Whitmer
Young People’s Abortion Access
Young people have to navigate an additional web of challenges when trying to get abortion care.
If/When/How works for reproductive justice for young people, challenging laws that force young people to involve parents in their abortion, and training lawyers to provide legal services to young people in their state.
Learn more:
→ The Harms of State-Mandated Parental Notification for Abortion and Judicial Bypass
→ Matsumoto v. Labrador
→ Nevada reinstitutes Judicial Bypass after 40 years
Economic Justice
Families thrive when they have the resources they need.
If/When/How works to increase economic justice for families. We advocate for increasing financial support for families using public benefits, and for all insurance plans to cover the cost of abortion. Our Repro Legal Defense Fund helps people cover the financial burden of being criminalized with bail and litigation expenses. In 2025 alone, we funded over $2.5 million in bail and other legal expenses for clients across the country.
Learn more:
→ Repro Legal Defense Fund
→ [Podcast] There’s a bail fund for that
→ Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania DHS
Transform lives and laws with a donation
You can help us defend people in courts, capitols, and communities! Your donation will fuel our wrap around legal services and advocacy on all of our issues.