The term "reproductive justice" was first coined in 1994 after the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo. It encompasses the complete physical, mental, spiritual, political, economic, and social well-being of women and girls.

This framework includes three core rights:
(1) the right to have a child
(2) the right not to have a child
(3) the right to parent one's children

The reproductive justice analysis/framework recognizes that multiple forms of oppression intersect to cause reproductive inequality. It acknowledges that reproductive options and self-determination are limited in ways that extend beyond access to abortion and traditional reproductive rights concepts that rest largely on the right to privacy.

For example, low-income women living in an environment contaminated with dioxins have high levels of endometriosis, which can lead to infertility. These women often do not have the means to leave and live somewhere else where their health would not be jeopardized.

In addition to a lack of resources, factors such as limited English proficiency, mistrust of the American medical system, immigration status, and cultural taboos may prevent certain groups of women from obtaining the health care that they need and deserve.

All of these challenges impact a woman's ability to make decisions about pregnancy and childbearing. The variety of issues facing women and their families demonstrates the need for a multi-dimensional approach to advancing the reproductive health and well-being of all women and girls.

The reproductive justice movement seeks to unite marginalized women and to empower them to make healthy, informed decisions about their reproductive choices, while still recognizing their individual needs. To achieve this mission, change is needed on the personal, familial, communal, and institutional levels to address the health disparities and societal conditions that unjustly affect many minority and low-income women of color.