Prince Harry and Meghan Markle celebrated the birth of their new daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor last week by asking for donations to a myriad of organizations including one that explicitly advocates for and teaches young girls about abortion.
“On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family,” the couple said in their announcement that they would be taking parental leave from their foundation Archewell.
One of the organizations featured on their list of places to support in lieu of gifts is Girls Inc.
Girls Inc., on the surface, seems like an advocacy non-profit dedicated to inspiring “all girls to be strong, smart, and bold, through direct service and advocacy” but a closer look at their website shows the corporate-backed organization is committed to “advancing reproductive justice.”
“Over 1 in 20 teen girls becomes pregnant each year,” the website states. “Too many young people do not have the necessary information they need to make informed decisions about their bodies and sexual health. Often the girls who are least informed are the most vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and unhealthy relationships.”
The advocacy section also commits to encouraging “comprehensive, medically accurate, non-shaming, and LGBT-inclusive sexuality education, as well as access to quality, affordable reproductive health care for all girls and women.”
The group also actively advocated against Trump-era policies such as modifications to Title IX and Title X. Using language often wielded by Planned Parenthood, Girls Inc. frequently tweeted its objection to the Trump administration’s decisions to rescind taxpayer-funded abortion referrals and the abolition of university “kangaroo courts.”
At Girls Inc., we encourage girls to be empowered and educated individuals. Push to #SaveTitleX to ensure that girls receive safe, affordable, and comprehensive counseling about their reproductive health, family planning, & birth control options. #NoGagRule #KnowledgeisPower
— Girls Inc. (@girls_inc) June 20, 2018
Proposed changes would prevent doctors from telling patients about all of their health care options and would take away federal funding from health care centers that provide the full range of reproductive health services. Take action: https://t.co/oL6Y9crGxx #NoGagRule pic.twitter.com/9VEp5p5M2e
— Girls Inc. (@girls_inc) July 17, 2018
1 in 4 trans & nonbinary students experiences sexual assault during college. YES on #SB493 to protect LGBTQI+ students’ from federal attacks aimed at silencing student survivors who want to report sexual assault. #StopBetsy @EqualRightsAdv @womensfoundca @SenHannahBeth #TitleIX pic.twitter.com/qmOge6YYgG
— Girls Inc. (@girls_inc) August 26, 2020
As the 48th anniversary of #TitleIX approaches, we lift up survivors of sexual violence. DeVos’s new rule reduces schools’ obligation to act against assault & discourages survivors from coming forward. That's no solution! We need safe schools on the side of justice. #HandsOffIX pic.twitter.com/rSMW15FyN9
— Girls Inc. (@girls_inc) June 18, 2020
Keeping girls in the dark about their reproductive health is a bad idea. We’re taking a stand against the Administration's new Title X gag rule, which will affect over 4 million people who currently access services funded by #TitleX. pic.twitter.com/lgWsEcekei
— Girls Inc. (@girls_inc) July 17, 2018
Other organizations promoted by the ex-royals included Harvest Home, a Christian shelter for homeless mothers, CAMFED, and the Myna Mahila Foundation.
