Planned Parenthood has launched a new campaign to educate Florida voters on where the candidates stand on women’s health and rights.
In a statement issued Thursday, Women are Watching (WAW) will be an educational effort sponsored by Florida Planned Parenthood beginning this week. WAW seeks to continue the successful advocacy and political campaigns that fueled President Barack Obama’s 2012 victory, as well as that of Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia governor’s race last fall.
“In November, Floridians have an opportunity to elect a governor who supports access to women’s health and move closer to securing a pro-women state legislature,” said Florida Planned Parenthood PAC Chair Lillian A. Tamayo. “The campaign will hold Tallahassee politicians accountable for the wave of anti-women’s health legislation we’ve seen in recent years by talking with voters about the impact of these policies and motivating them to get out the vote in support of women’s health.”
Planned Parenthood officials note that legislatures across the country introduced a record number of anti-women’s health bills, with many passing into law. They pointed out that, in Florida, Gov. Rick Scott signed four pieces of anti-women’s health legislation in his first term alone.
Tamayo said that there is an “unprecedented level of attacks on women’s health across the country and here in Florida,” including lack of access to affordable birth control, preventive health care services, and access to safe and legal abortion. Those issues have become a litmus test in choosing a candidate.
“Women are watching and we’re ready for leaders that want to move Florida forward — not turn back the clock on women’s access to health care,” she said. “Our message to Florida politicians is this: women’s health is a winning issue.”
