Kamala Harris Concedes US Election: Will This Drastically Impact Women's Rights?

After a whirlwind election campaign, presidential candidate Kamala Harris delivered a televised concession speech to the nation conceding her defeat to Republican Donald Trump. “While I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fuelled this campaign,” she told supporters on Wednesday at her alma mater, Howard University.

Harris pledged to continue fighting for women’s rights and against gun violence and to “fight for the dignity that all people deserve”

Kamala Harris has consistently highlighted women’s issues as central to her campaign and leadership, advocating for reproductive rights, gender equality, healthcare reform, and safety. However, Harris’s vision for women’s empowerment remained under scrutiny, as true equality cannot be selective. For many, her advocacy rings hollow while countless Palestinian bodies bear the cost of her policies.

On Reproductive Freedom

Kamala Harris views the battle for abortion rights as a fight for fundamental freedoms. "Texas is ground zero on this most extraordinary issue," she stated, emphasising the need to preserve a woman's right to make decisions about her own body. 

In a powerful moment during a campaign rally in Houston, where 30,000 supporters gathered, Harris spoke about the danger of Texas' abortion laws and criticised Attorney General Ken Paxton's lawsuit aimed at accessing women's medical records for those crossing state lines to seek legal abortions. Her words, "On the one hand, Donald Trump won't let anyone see his medical records. And on the other hand, they want to get their hands on your medical records," highlight her view that these laws infringe upon personal privacy and autonomy, as reported by CBS.

Harris has vowed to sign into law any bill passed by Congress that restores reproductive freedom, indicating her intent to revive the rights protected under Roe v. Wade.

"I pledge to you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as President of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law." she pledged, affirming her commitment to giving women the autonomy over their healthcare choices once again.

A Broader Vision for Gender Equality

Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, are vocal advocates for women’s rights across various sectors, from reproductive freedom to workplace equality and educational equity. They consistently emphasise the Democratic Party's longstanding commitment to gender equality, encapsulated in the phrase, “when women succeed, America succeeds.” This broader vision covers essential aspects like paid family leave, ending gender discrimination in healthcare, and creating equal opportunities in employment and education.

Both Harris and Walz understand the urgency of protecting these rights, especially in the face of potential conservative shifts. "Protecting reproductive rights" has become a central theme in their public addresses, as securing women’s freedoms against future threats becomes increasingly important.

"When women face obstacles to obtaining quality health care, when women face food insecurity, when women are more likely to live in poverty, and therefore disproportionately impacted by climate change, more vulnerable to gender-based violence, and therefore disproportionately impacted by conflict. Well, it's harder for women to fully participate in decision-making, which of course, in turn, makes it that much harder for democracies, to thrive," Harris said.

On Healthcare Reform For Black Communities

Harris is a staunch supporter of healthcare reform, building upon her work with the Affordable Care Act to propose "KamalaCare." This initiative aims to expand universal healthcare while maintaining options for private insurance, striking a balance to make healthcare accessible and affordable for all Americans. Her proposed reforms include measures to reduce prescription drug prices, especially in low-economic zones.

Maternal health, in particular, has been a major focus for Harris. Her advocacy extends to addressing the alarming maternal mortality rates among Black women, often hosting roundtables with community leaders, medical professionals, and advocates to discuss the systemic changes necessary to improve maternal care. Her support for the Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act further reflects her dedication to women’s health, especially in issues that disproportionately impact Black women.

On Advocacy in Legislation For Marginalised Folks in America

Kamala Harris has a substantial legislative track record supporting women’s issues, including the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act, and the PrEP Access and Coverage Act. These initiatives tackle the health disparities facing marginalised groups and address the need for equity in healthcare access, education, and protections for workers in caregiving roles, who are predominantly women, as reported by the Black Women's Health Imperative.

Her record as a senator also includes supporting research and awareness on critical health issues affecting women, like uterine fibroids, and pushing for the Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act and Environmental Justice Right to Know Act. These legislative efforts emphasise her understanding that women’s health, safety, and workplace environments are fundamental to their well-being and success.

On Women's Role in Democracy on the Global Stage

In her speech at the United Nations, she boldly declared, "the status of women is the status of democracy." Her words echoed Eleanor Roosevelt’s belief that democracy and equality are intertwined. Harris contends that the inclusion of women in decision-making strengthens democracy, emphasising that when women are sidelined, democracy itself is compromised, as reported by CNN.

At the European Parliament on International Women’s Day, Harris spoke about the challenges women face globally, from gender-based violence to poverty, food insecurity, and climate change vulnerability. By highlighting these issues, she advocates for a world where women can fully participate in shaping policy and society, underscoring the importance of gender equality in maintaining democratic values.

On Legal and Community Safety Reform

Harris’ career in law serves as the foundation for her stance on crime and community safety. From her early days as a district attorney prosecuting child abusers and sex traffickers to her work as California's attorney general, she has championed justice and community safety. Harris notably increased conviction rates for violent crimes, focusing on gang violence, gun crime, and domestic abuse.

As Vice President, she has overseen historic investments in public safety, supporting local law enforcement with $15 billion in funding and advocating for bipartisan reforms to address gun violence. Her role in establishing the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention further reflects her resolve to protect Americans from gun-related crimes, including initiatives to expand background checks and close loopholes.

On Palestine & Beyond

While Kamala Harris has publicly voiced support for a two-state solution and expressed concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, her stance remains complicated and controversial. Harris has called for an "immediate ceasefire" and has engaged in discussions with Israeli leaders to address the ongoing conflict. However, her actions, such as opposing an arms embargo on Israel, highlight a troubling inconsistency in her approach. Although she has emphasised Israel's right to defend itself, this position, especially without imposing checks on military support, indirectly enables continued violence that disproportionately impacts Palestinian women and children.

This selective advocacy for women’s rights—supporting American women’s freedoms while sidelining the suffering of Palestinian women—is seen by critics as perpetuating a double standard. True freedom and security cannot be confined to one group or nationality; as the saying goes, "no one is free until everyone is free."

Many argue that her stance reflects an alignment with Western ideologies that selectively address human rights issues, upholding white-centred perspectives while neglecting justice for marginalised communities abroad. This contradiction between her domestic advocacy for women's rights and her international stance raises questions about the inclusivity and consistency of her commitment to human rights.