On January 21, 2026, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), issued a Notice of Violation to the State of Illinois. This notice alleged that the 2016 Amendment of the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act (HCRCA) violates the Weldon and Coats-Snowe Amendments as they relate […]
With LA Maternity Wards Closing at Alarming Rates, Patients Are Giving Birth in ERs
Los Angeles County has seen five maternity wards close since 2023, bringing the total number of closures to 16 over the past decade. As a result, hospitals across the county are struggling to meet the needs of pregnant patients. Los Angeles General Medical Center, a teaching hospital, has treated approximately1,400 pregnant patients who arrived through […]
Removal of “Option 3” on the 988 Suicide Hotline Poses Extreme Mental Health Risk for LGBTQ+ Youth
The foundation of LGBTQ+ mental health support is crumbling. This past summer, the current administration decided to remove “Option 3” from the 988 Suicide Hotline, which was specifically for LGBTQ+ people in crisis. The elimination of this option puts already vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth and adults at serious risk. Launched in 2022 with bipartisan support, the […]
Investors’ Undervaluation of Women’s Health Mirrors America’s Devaluation of Women’s Bodies
For decades, women’s healthcare has been narrowly framed around reproduction and fertility, despite the reality that women’s health extends far beyond these boundaries. At the same time, women are expected to drive the economy, working, caregiving, and managing the health of their families, while the healthcare system continues to undervalue their needs. Until 1985, women’s […]
Shortage of Midwives Globally Increases Health Risks for Pregnant People
Around the world, there is a shortage of nearly one million midwives. The midwife shortage is not just a workforce issue, it is a human rights and safety issue. Mothers, pregnant people, and babies are experiencing deaths at alarmingly high rates due to improper labor care. A midwife is a trained healthcare provider that specializes […]
Black History Month Celebrates 100th Anniversary
Black History is world history. Although it is the shortest month, February is recognized in the United States as Black History Month to honor and celebrate the profound contributions Black people have made, and continue to make, to society. Since its inception, Black History Month has been guided by an annual theme, and this year […]
Taliban’s New Penal Code Codifies Violence, Obedience, and Gender Apartheid
The Taliban has quietly enacted a sweeping new penal code that fundamentally reshapes Afghanistan’s legal system, formalizing violence, criminalizing dissent, legalizing slavery, and stripping women of legal personhood under the guise of religious law. On January 7, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada signed off on the “Penal Principles of Taliban Courts,” a document spanning 119 articles […]
Supreme Court Weighs Landmark Cases on Transgender Students and School Sports
On January 13, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two landmark cases that could dramatically reshape the future of transgender rights in education and athletics: Little v. Hecox and West Virginia v. B.P.J. The cases challenge state laws that categorically bar transgender girls and women from participating in school sports, raising fundamental […]
Mamdani and Hochul Announce Plan to Make N.Y. Child Care Universal
It has only been a few weeks since the new Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, took office, and he is already putting new initiatives into action. Both the New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, and Mayor Mamdani announced on January 8 a new investment in affordable health and child care in the state. New […]
Bogota Implements Care Blocks: A Monumental Shift Away from Unpaid Labor
Bogota, Columbia has been making historic strides towards gender equity by investing in government-provided care labor through programs known as “care blocks.” These “care blocks” provide an opportunity for women to drop off their children to create more free time. With this free time, mothers have an opportunity to run errands, meet with different consultants, […]
The Women Intertwined in Venezuela’s Fate
On January 3, 2026, a military operation carried out by U.S. armed forces in the capital of Venezuela resulted in the capture of Cilia Flores and her husband, President Nicolás Maduro. This has led to an ongoing state of emergency and authoritarian measures, which have impacted political dissent and civil society. Yet much of the […]
A “Trojan Horse” That Wasn’t: Senate Hearing Shows Afghans Are Among the Most Thoroughly Vetted
Last Wednesday in Washington, D.C., lawmakers convened a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing to examine the Biden administration’s Afghan parole program. While national security concerns dominated the discussion, the hearing also made clear that Afghans are among the most thoroughly vetted populations entering the United States. It also underscored the growing uncertainty facing tens of thousands […]
What is the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act Missing?
In December 2025, H.R.6359, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, was introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA-2) and then referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. On the surface, the bill is intended to require higher education institutions to provide information to pregnant students to support them through pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, […]
Elon Musk’s Grok AI and the Rise of Nonconsensual Sexual Abuse
Elon Musk’s Grok AI is being used to create nonconsensual explicit photos and videos of women and children. These range from photos of people in revealing garments to extremely graphic and violent pornographic material. Grok AI is “an AI assistant with a twist of humor and a dash of rebellion.” It can be used on […]
Wyoming Court Delivers Major Victory for Abortion Access
As of January 6, abortion remains legal in Wyoming after the Wyoming Supreme Court struck down two state laws aimed at banning abortion in State v. Johnson. One of the overturned laws sought to ban abortion except to save a pregnant woman’s life or in cases involving rape or incest. The other would have been […]
Black Maternal Health Crisis Continues to Plague the United States
On Friday, January 2, 2026, Dr. Janelle Green Smith died from complications during the birth of her first child in South Carolina. Dr. Green Smith was a Black midwife, an esteemed Doctor of Nursing Practice, and an advocate for maternal health and midwifery. Dr. Green Smith’s death joins the many who have fallen victim to […]
China Increases Tax on Contraceptives in an Attempt to Boost Birth Rate
On January 1st, 2026, China implemented a 13% VAT (value-added tax) on birth control and other forms of contraception to boost birth rates. China, the world’s second-largest economy, has been experiencing a decline in its birth rate, especially over the last three years. This tax move is intended to help boost ‘fertility-friendly’ measures and “love […]
No Relief in Sight: Afghan Women and Girls Face Another Year Under Taliban Rule
As 2026 begins, it has been over 1,500 days since the United States withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s brutal regime returned to power. In that time, the Taliban has not moderated its rule, reversed draconian policies, or softened its grip on power. Instead, the passage of time has been marked by the […]
What Australia’s New Social Media Ban May Mean for Young Women
Australia has banned social media accounts for young people under 16. This follows a larger government effort to protect minors, especially young women, from potential harms linked to social media, such as body-image issues, mental health challenges, and sexual exploitation. Australia is now the first country to implement such a ban. Australian Prime Minister Anthony […]
Following Tragic D.C. Shooting, Afghan Allies Face a New Wave of Enforcement and Fear
The shooting in Washington D.C. that left one National Guard member dead and another critically wounded on November 26 quickly became a major focus of U.S. media. Yet, the full picture of what happened tells a very different story from the one now shaping federal policy. The suspect is an Afghan man who once served […]