Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

After the United Nations General Assembly – What’s Next for Afghan Women and Girls?

The fight and advocacy must go on louder and more effective. During the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings in September, the situation of Afghan women and girls received a significant focus. A few major events, including “Global Solidarity with Afghan Women and Girls” and “The Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan” aimed […]

Health

Expanding Birth Control Access as the New Front in Reproductive Freedom

Photo by Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition The Biden-Harris administration’s proposed rule to expand access to affordable contraception under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a timely and essential move, especially in the current political landscape where reproductive rights have been systematically eroded. This proposal would provide over-the-counter birth control without any cost sharing for women with […]

Climate Change

Natural Disasters Aren’t Gender Neutral – Hurricanes Milton and Helene Prove It

Photo by NASA Natural disasters don’t just ravage landscapes—they also expose and deepen systemic inequalities. Recent hurricanes, Milton and Helene, tore through Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, destroying homes, businesses, and the lives built across generations. While governments rush to repair infrastructure and restore housing, they often overlook the people most impacted in the long term—especially […]

Election

Georgia Judge Blocks Trump’s Election Rules

Photo by Elliott Stallion Last week, Georgia blocked Trump-backed election rules that had been recently passed by the State Election Board. Of the seven rules implemented, three gained immense pushback, which included one that required ballots to be counted by hand after polls close and two that dealt with the certification of election results.  Fulton County […]

Global

Italy Bans Surrogacy Internationally

Photo by Omar Lopez Italy’s recent ban on international surrogacy, spearheaded by the far-right party led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has ignited controversy and raised concerns about LGBTQ+ rights in the country. This legislation expands upon an existing domestic surrogacy ban, further limiting options for couples seeking to have children through this method. The move […]

Abortion

The Deepening Crisis: The Texas Abortion Ban and Its Far-Reaching Implications

Photo by Reed Naliboff  In a pivotal moment for reproductive rights in America, the Supreme Court has declined to intervene in the clash between federal emergency care law and Texas’ near-total abortion ban. This decision marks a significant setback for advocates of reproductive rights and has far-reaching implications, particularly for women of color in Texas. The […]

Education

Defending Title IX and the Future of Gender Equality in Education

Photo by Element5 Digital In 1972, American education underwent a monumental shift with the passage of Title IX. This landmark civil rights law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any educational program or activity that receives federal funding. Emerging from the women’s rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s, Title IX was crafted to ensure equal opportunities for […]

Economy

Rest in Power: Equal Pay Advocate Lilly Ledbetter Dies at 86

From left to right: Katherine Spillar, Lilly Ledbetter, former Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, and Eleanor Smeal. Lilly Ledbetter, a remarkable equal pay advocate, passed away at age 86 on October 12, 2024. Her journey began in 1979 as a dedicated employee at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, where she worked for nearly two decades. However, it […]

Economy

How Raising the Minimum Wage Can Narrow the Gender Pay Gap

Photo by Kenny Eliason The federal minimum wage has been stuck at $7.25 since 2009. While the majority of states have increased their minimum-wage laws since then, there are still 20 that have maintained the federal minimum.  In April of this year, California raised their minimum wage to $20 an hour for fast food employees, granting […]

Health Reproductive Rights

The Criminalization of Pregnancy

Photo by freestocks The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in 2022 has profoundly influenced how pregnancy is viewed in the United States, leading to an increase in the criminalization of pregnancy-related behaviors. Pregnancy Justice released their September 2024 report “Pregnancy As a Crime: A Preliminary Report on the First Year After Dobbs” by Wendy Bach and Madalyn […]

LGBTQ

Kentucky Bans Conversion Therapy for Minors

Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert On September 18th, 2024, the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, outlawed conversion therapy for minors in the state. Licensing boards can also take official action against anyone found practicing conversion therapy on minors. Beshear spoke about his decision saying the following:  “Kentucky cannot possibly reach its full potential unless it is […]

Election

Proposition 1: New York’s Next Step Toward Equality in a Post-Roe World

Photo by Gayatri Malhotra New York stands at a crossroads of history as election signs sprout like late-blooming flowers. This year’s ballot holds more than names; it carries the weight of generations of struggle, hope, and relentless pursuit of equality. New York Proposition 1 isn’t just another line item—it’s the latest chapter in a story that […]

Afghanistan Global Womens Rights

Four Countries Take Taliban to the International Court of Justice Over Gender Apartheid

Photo by *rboed* In a historic move, four countries — Canada, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands — are taking the Taliban to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over their severe violations of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan. The announcement at the UN General Assembly marks a significant international response to what many are calling […]

Election

The Gender Gap Among Gen Z is Rising. What Will it Mean for the 2024 Election?

Photo by Element5 Digital The divide between young men and women’s political preferences are growing at unprecedented rates. While this divergence, coined “the gender gap” by founder and President of the Feminist Majority Foundation Eleanor Smeal, is not new, older generations have not witnessed as striking a contrast between men and women voters. Young women see […]

Health

Body Neutrality as a Form of Resistance

Photo by Fuu J  In a world where diet culture pervades nearly every aspect of our lives, the emergence of body neutrality offers a refreshing perspective. Body neutrality emphasizes acceptance of our bodies for their functionality rather than their appearance, encouraging a focus on well-being instead of aesthetic ideals. Instead of the body positivity approach saying, […]

Economy

The Gender Wage Gap Has Increased for the First Time in 20 Years

Photo by Alexander Grey In 2024, it’s nothing short of outrageous that we’re still grappling with a wage gap between men and women. This persistent disparity isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet – it’s a glaring symbol of the systemic sexism that continues to plague our society. For the first time in over 20 years, […]

Health

The Deadly Cost of Racial Bias: Addressing the Disparities in Black Maternal Healthcare

Photo by Mustafa Omar The disparities in medical treatment for women of color, particularly Black women, starkly reflect the deep-rooted racial inequities in the U.S. healthcare system. These disparities are evident in higher rates of C-sections, elevated maternal mortality rates, and a lack of adequate pain management compared to white women, even when receiving care from […]