The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, along with other international human rights agreements, clearly establishes bodily autonomy as a fundamental right. As Witches and Wiccans, the members of the Everglades Moon Local Council of the Covenant of the Goddess wholeheartedly support this principle.
At its core, bodily autonomy means the ability to govern oneself—being guided by internal considerations, desires, and characteristics that reflect one’s true self, rather than by external forces imposed upon them.
Autonomy is an undeniable and basic value, especially when contrasted with its opposite: being controlled by external influences that one cannot truly accept, which leads only to oppression.
Today, this fundamental right is under relentless attack in the area served by our Local Council. We have witnessed an alarming increase in social and political efforts to infringe upon bodily autonomy, particularly targeting women.
We will not be silent on this matter. As practitioners of a free-will spiritual path, we affirm that decisions concerning one’s body, including reproductive autonomy, are deeply personal and should be made solely between the individual and their god or gods. No external agent—whether governmental, professional, or spiritual—has the right to intrude upon this sacred relationship.
We urge individuals to resist patriarchal bodily oppression by actively asserting their rights through practical, political, and spiritual actions.