In response to the shootings at Planned Parenthood’s health center in Colorado Springs, the National Women’s Health Network’s Executive Director, Cynthia Pearson, issued the following statement:

“Every woman should be able to receive, and clinicians should be able to provide, health care services without fearing violence. Our hearts go out to the families of those who were killed and injured by the person who invaded Planned Parenthood. Abortion and other reproductive health care services are vital parts of women’s health care. Opponents of abortion who use inflammatory language to describe the procedure, the providers and the women who seek abortion care are fomenting a climate of violence. This is wrong - and it must stop.

We are grateful for the bravery and commitment of the people who work at Planned Parenthood and hundreds of other reproductive health facilities around the country. We stand with Planned Parenthood, reproductive health clinicians, and the women and men who use their services today and every day.”

The National Women's Health Network improves the health of all women by developing and promoting a critical analysis of health issues in order to affect policy and support consumer decision-making. We bring the voices, concerns and needs of women consumers to policy and regulatory tables.

Christina Cherel, MPH, is a women’s health advocate and former NWHN Policy & Advocacy Manager. Currently, she advocates globally for reproductive health research as Program Officer for the Bill & Melinda Gates Institute and as Communications Chair for the International Conference on Family Planning.

Read more from Christina Cherel.