The Iraqi parliament is facing mounting pressure from civil society, women’s rights groups, and activists as it considers amendments to the Personal Status Law that could drastically affect the rights and well-being of women and girls in Iraq. If passed, these amendments would lower the legal marriage age from 18 to as young as nine […]
Beverly Hills Blocks All-Trimester Clinic
In a stark reminder that threats to abortion access lurk even in progressive strongholds, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has taken unprecedented legal action against Beverly Hills for systematically obstructing the opening of an abortion clinic. This battle in one of America’s wealthiest cities highlights how the war on reproductive rights extends far beyond red […]
What Just Happened? Insights from the Post-Election 2024 Panel Discussion
On November 12th, an all-woman panel convened at American University to unpack the results of the 2024 elections at the event titled “What Just Happened?: Voting is over — What Did We Learn from Election 2024?” Moderated by Betsy Fischer Martin, Executive Director of the AU School of Public Affairs Women & Politics Institute, the […]
Abortion Rights Win Big in Seven States Despite Challenges
Despite the disappointing election results, valuable ground was gained for the pro-abortion movement. Of the 10 states where abortion was on the ballot, seven passed referendums supporting abortion rights. These states are now taking legal action to remove barriers and enshrine abortion rights in their state constitutions. Abortion Wins Across Seven States Arizona:Arizona voters successfully […]
Taliban: “80% of women’s rights have been provided”
The Taliban’s latest edicts ban Afghan women from speaking in public or even being heard by other adult women. When the Taliban took power in 2021, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, promised that “the Taliban would honor women’s rights within the norms of Islamic law.” Three years later, Sait-ul-Islam Khyber, the Taliban’s spokesman for their […]
The Alt-Right Pipeline and the Rise of Trump: How Digital Radicalization Found Its Political Voice
When Trump descended the escalator at Trump Tower in 2015 to announce his presidential campaign, he tapped into something that had been brewing in online spaces for years. What made Trump unique wasn’t just his message, but his ability to speak the language of internet culture – his unfiltered tweets, his willingness to be politically […]
The Weaponization of Girls And Women During Conflict
Photo by DVIDSHUB In a recent event on October 28 hosted by the O’Neill Institute of Georgetown Law, a panel of experts convened to discuss the alarming realities faced by women and girls in conflict zones and beyond. The discussion was moderated by Pema Levy who highlighted a stark report released by the United Nations this […]
Forced to Carry: The Reality of Rape-Related Pregnancies in a Post-Roe World
Photo by freestocks The issue of rape-related pregnancies is a crucial yet often-overlooked aspect of the broader debate surrounding abortion access. As more states implement strict abortion bans, the implications for survivors of sexual violence become increasingly severe and far-reaching. When Hadley Duvall was just 12 years old, she was raped and impregnated by her stepfather. […]
After the United Nations General Assembly – What’s Next for Afghan Women and Girls?
Photo by de:Benutzer:Eborutta 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Afghanistan Under the Taliban is “A Graveyard for Women’s Dreams”
Photo by Nk Ni The Taliban has not stopped their aggressive efforts of restricting and regulating women’s lives. Late August of 2024, the Taliban released a 114 page, 35-article that proved to be the “first formal declaration of the vice and virtue laws in Afghanistan since the takeover.” Edicts in the article include: a mandatory call […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Three Years Without Education: Its Impacts on Afghan Girls and Afghanistan
Photo by Nk Ni September marked 3 years since the Taliban banned education beyond the secondary level for Afghan girls. More than 1,100 days have passed and there is no progress in reinstating education for girls in Afghanistan. The absence of education has also led to mental health issues – teenage girls struggling everyday not being […]
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 […]
