Following the highly divisive decision by the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v Wade, a 50-year-old ruling that legalised abortion on a federal basis, many women in America have become increasingly concerned about the prospect of unplanned pregnancy.
Millions of women in America will lose the constitutional right to abortion following the landmark judgement late last month, allowing individual states to ban the procedure and drastically impacting women's rights. It's expected 50 percent of states will introduce new restrictions or prohibitions, with 13 already passing so-called trigger laws to automatically outlaw abortion following the ruling. In total, 36 million women of reporductive age are expected to be denied access to abortions, according to research by Planned Parenthood.
Women with unwanted pregnancies in large swathes of America now face the choice of travelling to another state where the procedure remains legal; buying abortion pills online; or having a potentially dangerous illegal abortion.
In the wake of the historic decision, which has prompted widespread outrage and protests across the globe, many women are taking it upon themselves to safeguard their futures and reclaim their bodily and sexual autonomy.
One such woman has gone viral on social media after she declared on her dating profile that any potential partners must present proof of a vasectomy before she will consider furthering the relationship.
The 31-year-old added the requirement to her profile on the popular dating app Tinder in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision, also updating her bio with emojis of an alarm.
"VASECTOMY REQUIRED. After the events of 6/24/22 [June 24, 2022] proof of vasectomies will be required before engaging in any sexual relations," the woman wrote.
A vasectomy is an elective surgical procedure for male sterilisation or permanent contraception. During the procedure, the male vasa deferentia are cut and tied or sealed to prevent sperm from entering the man's urethra, therefore preventing the fertilisation of an egg through sexual intercourse. Reversing the procedure is possible, but not guaranteed.
The woman's profile and firm prerequisite have been largely circulated on social media, with many applauding her bid to safeguard her sexual health. It's unclear where the woman is based, however it can be assumed she is currently residing in a state that has already moved to outlaw abortion.
While many women expressed their support for her stance, several men were unimpressed: however, their comments were quickly shut down by those who pointed out that while women's right to choose is now policed by law, vasectomies remain very much an optional procedure.
Several women took the opportunity to highlight the "hypocrisy" of men "not liking being told what to do with their bodies", with one sarcastically quipping: "Oh no… you don't like being told what to do with your body? Gee… wonder what that feels like."
"I cannot understand why anyone is annoyed at this woman. She's trying to ensure her safety," a second commented, with a third agreeing: "She doesn't want to get pregnant and is using all forms necessary to prevent that. She's well within her right to ask for sterile men only."
"Women have been altering our hormones, taking contraceptives and undergoing surgical sterilisation for many decades and now there is a safe option for men… you're acting like that's too much to ask? Y'all are entitled and immature," another declared.
A fifth joked that the woman didn't go far enough with her prerequisite, suggesting she require all potential suitors to fill out an application form prior to sex.
The woman wrote: "This is all very simple. All potential partners must provide a current credit score of 700+ [and] have a job that is three-times child support. When a wanting party can produce all of these and fill out the application form with a non-refundable $50 filing fee, THEN the panties come off.
"Look, I don't make the rules (anymore, apparently)."
Men outraged that their bodies dare be policed by a woman left some nasty takes, however - including one who thanked the woman "for removing yourself from the gene pool".
"And if a guy posted like this? Sure [as] hell feminists will attack the s**t outta him," a second weighed in, with a fellow male adding: "Imagine if a man told you he would only sleep with you if you got your tubes tied. Sounds pretty entitled and immature."
Thousands of Americans have researched immigation to New Zealand in the wake of the landmark decision, with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) recording 45,235 visits to New Zealand Now from the US in the week to June 29, compared to 8319 from April 19 to 25.
Its views, combined with those for Immigration New Zealand itself, reached 77,000 - almost quadruple the number for April.
This month, pro-choice Kiwis plan to march on the United States Consulate in Auckland on July 16 in protest of the overturning. Protesters will march from Aotea Square to the Consulate on Customs St East, with organisers declaring that they stand in solidarity with those who have lost their right to bodily autonomy.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has condemned the decision by the Supreme Court, calling it "incredibly upsetting". In a statement, Ardern noted that New Zealand had recently legislated to decriminalise abortion and treated the procedure as an issue of health.
