Migration Category: Feminist Newswire

Stories from the Feminist News Wire.

Gender Gap Prominent in Support for Trump Impeachment

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Recent polls have shown that American women support impeachment and removal from office by around 10 points more than men—a gender gap that is reflected in national politics as well.

Since the 2016 election women in the U.S. have led the fight against the rampant misogyny, racism, and xenophobia that is the hallmark of the presidency of Donald Trump. According to a Fox News poll from December 15, 54 percent of women surveyed strongly support impeachment.

By contrast, only 44 percent of men support the impeachment of President Trump. Trump’s overall approval ratings also reflect the gender gap. Polls show that only 32 percent of women approve of the president, while 52 percent of men approve of Trump.

One factor in the gender gap is party affiliation. Fifty-six percent of women identify as Democrats nationally, and 90 percent of Democrats support the impeachment of Donald Trump.

Women are leading the call for impeachment at every level. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has been at the forefront of the impeachment proceedings. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), chairwoman of the House Finance Committee, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee, have also been key players in the impeachment process. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) served as speaker pro tempore—a constitutional representative who presides during the absence of the Speaker of the House— and presided over the House debate about the articles of impeachment.

At the impeachment debate today, dozens of female Democratic House representatives gave impassioned speeches in support of the articles of impeachment, condemning Donald Trump’s conduct and citing the responsibility of Congress to uphold the Constitution and defend our democracy and the freedom and fairness of U.S. elections.

Sources: TWP 11/27/19; Vox 11/26/19; Denver Channel 12/18/19; Fox News 12/15/19

The Fight for Paid Leave Takes Center Stage in House Oversight Hearing

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The House Committee on Oversight and Reform, chaired by Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), held a hearing yesterday on the critical lack of paid leave for employees who need to take time off to care for a new child, a sick family member, or their own health. Committee members and witnesses discussed the ongoing need for a comprehensive national paid family and medical leave policy and addressed possible solutions.

Currently, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Only around 60 percent of Americans can access that due to limitations on the number of employees a business has. Additionally, millions of workers cannot afford to take time off without pay. Overall, only about 19 percent of workers have access to paid family leave meaning that almost 80% of Americans have no access to paid leave. Only ten states-New Jersey, California, Arizona, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and the District of Columbia-currently provide or require paid family and medical leave. Out of 41 nations that belong to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the U.S. is the only country that does not provide some form of paid leave.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairwoman Maloney, who have been persistently fighting for universal paid family medical leave, have succeeded in inserting a provision into the current defense authorization bill that will provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees.  If passed by Congress, over 2 million federal workers will receive 12 weeks of paid leave in order to care for a newborn or adopted child.

“If this agreement is signed, it would be a victory for 2.1 million workers,” Maloney stated. “Parents would finally be able to have a child without worrying about their paychecks coming to a halt.”

Key testimony came from Rep. DeLauro (D-CT) who sponsors the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act (FAMILY Act) which would create a national paid family leave policy for up to 12 weeks and establish an Office of Paid Family and Medical Leave within the Social Security Administration that would provide covered caregivers with a monthly payment that would be 66 percent of their income.

“I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, and I asked about my office’s leave policy.  Do you know what they said?  They said, ‘Leave?  What leave?  Women just leave.’  I said that I didn’t intend to leave.  And the response was, ‘That’s never happened before.’ That was an unacceptable answer for me then, and it is an unacceptable answer now for families across this country,” said Maloney in her opening remarks. “Providing this benefit is a significant investment in our future—the future of children, parents, families and our future as a nation.  Paid leave yields better outcomes for productivity, health of parents and children, and long-term financial stability.  It also contributes to closing the gender wage gap,” she continued.

Additional testimony came from Jacqui Silvani, a special education teacher who spoke about the financial and emotional hardships her family experienced when her three year old son was diagnosed with cancer. Aaron Seyedian, owner of Well Paid Maids, a small business that offers paid leave to its’ employees, discussed how it is possible for business owners to provide leave without undue financial hardship. Other witnesses included Jennifer Tucker, senior policy advisor for the Black Women’s Roundtable at the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo of  the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow at New America’s Better Life Lab.

Sources : Newsweek 12/10/19; Feminist Newswire 12/9/19

House Committee on Oversight and Reform to Hold Hearing on Paid Family Leave

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The House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing tomorrow on the critical lack of access to universal paid family and medical leave across the country. Chaired by Rep. Carolyn Maloney, sponsor of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act, the committee will hear testimony from key witnesses regarding the impact and possible long-term solutions to the problem.

Witnesses include Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), sponsor of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave Act, which would establish a paid federal family and medical leave insurance program for up to 12 weeks. Special education teacher Jacqui Silvani will also testify. Silvani lost her job when she took a leave of absence to deal with her son’s battle with cancer. Other witnesses include Jennifer Tucker, senior policy advisor for the Black Women’s Roundtable and the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo of  the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Vicki Shabo, a senior fellow at New America’s Better Life Lab, and Aaron Seyedian, founder of Well-Paid Maids.

While the current federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, only 60 percent of Americans can access that due to limitations on what kind of employees are eligible. Additionally, many cannot afford to take time off without pay. Overall, only 17 percent of workers have access to paid family leave. The U.S. is one of only two nations that does not offer some form of paid leave.

Source: House Oversight Committee 12/9/19; National Partnership For Women and Families

Nearly One Million Americans Will Lose Access to Food Stamps under New Trump Rule

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Under a new rule enacted by the Trump administration, close to 700,000 people will lose SNAP benefits due to regulations that make it more difficult for states to waive the requirement that “able bodied” recipients work at least 20 hours a week.

The rule will affect people aged 18-49 who do not have children and are not disabled. Currently, USDA rules require that they work 20 hours a week, but states have been able to waive these requirements for benefit recipients in areas with high unemployment. Under the rule change, states will have a more difficult time receiving waivers.

“The policy targets very poor people struggling to work — some of whom are homeless or living with health conditions,” remarked Stacy Dean, a food assistance policy vice president at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. “Taking away basic food assistance from these individuals will only increase hardship and hunger, while doing nothing to help them find steady full-time work.”

The rule is slated to go into effect in April of 2020. A study by Mathematica Policy Research and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that the waivers significantly help those living in extreme poverty. Ninety-seven percent of SNAP recipients who this rule change will affect live in poverty, and 88 percent have household incomes of less than $600 a month.

“The final rule would cause serious harm to individuals, communities, and the nation while doing nothing to improve the health and employment of those impacted by the rule,” said James D. Weil, president of the Food Research & Action Center. “In addition, the rule would harm the economy, grocery retailers, agricultural producers, and communities by reducing the amount of SNAP dollars available to spur local economic activity.”

Sources: NPR 14/4/19; NBC News 12/4/19; USDA.gov

Ohio Bill Requires Doctors to Reimplant Ectopic Pregnancies

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A new Ohio bill requires doctors to reimplant ectopic pregnancies in the uterus, in an attempt to save the pregnancy.

House Bill 413 was introduced in the Republican-controlled legislature in November by Representatives Candice Keller and Ron Hood. The 700-page bill defines a fertilized egg as an “unborn child” and outlaws abortions unless the mother’s life is in danger or the doctor attempts to save the pregnancy. This then requires ectopic pregnancies to be reimplanted into a patient’s uterus. Doctors who fail to comply will be charged with “abortion murder,” and can be sentenced to prison.

Professionals are stating that reimplantation is medically impossible for ectopic pregnancies. If a fertilized egg is outside the uterus, the pregnancy is unviable, as an embryo cannot survive outside of the uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic. The vice president of practice activities at American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Dr. Chris Zahn, claims that attempting to reimplant an ectopic pregnancy not only is not feasible, but could pose a threat to the mother. Dr. Chris Zahn stated, “Reimplantation is not physiologically possible. Women with ectopic pregnancies are at risk for catastrophic hemorrhage and death in the setting of an ectopic pregnancy, and treating the ectopic pregnancy can certainly save a mom’s life.” Dr. Daniel Grossman, a University of California professor, said this bill “could lead some patients to really question the advice of their doctor and maybe wait longer getting the necessary treatment and put their lives at risk.”

The Ohio state legislature has previously debated this topic. In April, it introduced a bill that banned insurance companies from covering abortions, but left an exception for the reimplantation of an ectopic pregnancy, a procedure that is not practiced. Ohio has also recently enacted a fetal heartbeat bill, banning abortions after a heartbeat is detected, but the bill was temporarily blocked by a judge.

Ohio is not the only state recently enacting abortion restriction bills. Pennsylvania recently passed a bill that requires medical professionals to receive a death certificate and bury the fetal remains after all abortions and miscarriages. Pennsylvania State Representative Mary Isaacson labelled this Pennsylvania bill as “yet another attempt to harass abortion providers.” The executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio, Kellie Copeland, said both Ohio’s bill and Pennsylvania’s state legislatures “want to make it very difficult for medical providers to provide this care to their patients by increasing costs, by creating criminal penalties … They want to harm [people who receive abortions] emotionally.”

Sources: Refinery29 11/30/19, Time 12/1/19, NY Times 12/4/19, The Hill 12/1/19, Bustle 12/2/19

Monthly Birth Control Pill Developed by Scientists

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In a paper published Wednesday, MIT and Brigham and Women’s Hospital scientists say they have made progress on the development of a contraceptive pill that only needs to be taken once a month.

The gelatin-coated pill, which has only been tested on pigs so far, dissolves in the stomach where it releases a six-armed star-shaped polymer structure that sits in the stomach for at least three weeks slowly releasing synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy.

Primarily funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, researchers looked for materials that could withstand the acidic conditions of the stomach, and found that two types of polyurethane could work well for the arms and core of the star-shaped pill. Once the capsule reaches the stomach, it expands and lodges in place. The contraceptive hormones, which are loaded in the pill, are then released at a controlled rate over a monthly period.

The capsule is designed to break down after three to four weeks and then exit the body through the digestive tract. Going forward, the researchers plan to refine the technology for human use. Robert Langer, an MIT professor and co-author of the study, said further research is being done to develop the drug for human test subjects, which he hopes will be possible within the next three to five years. “We are very optimistic and confident that we can get this to humans in coming years,” said Dr. Giovanni Traverso, a gastroenterologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MIT involved in the study.

Tests conducted on pigs show that the capsule could provide the same effect as taking daily doses. As a result, scientists say it could help prevent unplanned pregnancies caused by error in daily pill usage. “We are hopeful that this work — the first example ever of a month-long pill or capsule to our knowledge — will someday lead to potentially new modalities and options for women’s health,” said Langer.

In the United States, oral contraceptives are the second most popular contraceptive method for women aged between 15 and 49, according to a survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

They’re also very effective. When taken properly, fewer than one in every hundred women using contraceptives will become pregnant in a year, according to Planned Parenthood. However, the effectiveness rate is closer to 91%, as close to one-third of birth control pill users have reported missing their dose during a menstrual cycle, the CDC says.

Similar drug delivery systems have been tested on animals before by the same team of researchers to deliver anti-malarial drugs and HIV antiretroviral therapy. However, the new study is the first time the method has been used to deliver birth control over such a long period.

Kimberly Scarsi, a professor of pharmacy at the University of Nebraska, who is unaffiliated with the research, said she believed the new pill could help reduce the lack of access to contraceptives. “A once-monthly oral contraceptive would provide a discreet, noninvasive birth control option that could significantly improve medication adherence to give women more control over their health and family planning decisions,” she said.

Sources: CNN 12/5/19; TIME 12/4/19

 

Fab Five Member Jonathan Van Ness Makes History with January Cosmo Cover

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The “Queer Eye” grooming expert, 32, is being celebrated as the first solo non-female Cosmopolitan UK magazine cover star in more than 30 years.

On the January 2020 cover, Van Ness wears a voluminous pink and orange tulle off-the-shoulder Christian Siriano gown with striped socks and classic Nike Cortez sneakers. The coverline reads, “Jonathan Van Ness: Yep, we did it. You’re totally welcome.”

Van Ness, who identifies as non-binary and uses male pronouns, debuted the cover image Monday, writing, “First non female cover star in 35 years [LGBTQ flag and heart emojis] thanks for having me [LGBTQ flag and heart emojis]. @CosmopolitanUK showing more variations of beauty for young LGBTQ+ people YAS QUEEN photo by @Rachel_Smith.”

While Cosmopolitan previously had the members of the British boy band One Direction on the cover in 2012, Van Ness is the first solo non-female identifying celebrity to front the magazine since Boy George in 1984.

Cosmopolitan UK editor-in-chief Claire Hodgson said the choice to feature Van Ness is a way to represent the magazine’s diverse readership. “Jonathan is warm, funny, opinionated, kind and brave, all qualities that resonate with our audience,” Hodgson says. “He is encouraging people to love who they are, which is at the heart of what our brand stands for — we could all do with a little more self-love in our lives.”

This major milestone comes just a few months after the reality star’s memoir, Over the Top, hit shelves on September 24th. In his book, Van Ness reveals that he is HIV positive, something he opened up about to Cosmopolitan UK more. “This is only the beginning. I’m quickly realizing that there is still so much misunderstanding, so much sensationalizing of living with HIV,” he told the magazine. “The stigma and the difficulty around the process of getting treatment is creating that. My work has only really just begun.”

Earlier this year, the Queer Eye beauty guru also opened up about his gender identity, saying he doesn’t consider himself a cisgender man despite using male pronouns.

“The older I get, the more I think that I’m non-binary,” Van Ness said, “I’m gender nonconforming. Like, some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman.”

“I think a lot of times gender is used to separate and divide,” he said. “It’s this social construct that I don’t really feel like I fit into the way I used to.”

Sources: CNN 12/3/19; TIME 12/2/19; People 12/2/19

Survey: Growing Support for Women’s Education and Employment in Afghanistan

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The Asia Foundation’s survey of 2019 shows a growing support for women’s education and their employment in Afghanistan. The survey released on Tuesday shows the progress made in the views of Afghans in regards to women’s rights and their position in public life. The approval and support for women’s education has continued to rise over the past years, reaching nearly 87% this year from 84% last year. A record high number of Afghans also support women working outside their homes. The percentage of Afghans supporting their female members of the family working outside has increased from 70% in 2018 to 76% in 2019.

Many Afghans interviewed for the survey also believe that the lack of education, justice and rights, domestic violence, and employment opportunities have been some of the biggest challenges faced by women. The changes in the view of many Afghans interviewed show a steady rise in public awareness of women’s rights and status.

The authors of the survey believe that the peace discussions have made many Afghans worried, envisioning a retreat to the Taliban era’s rules. Many Afghans believe that they feel represented in the peace talks. However, 65% of the survey respondents said they would not support the Afghan president if he enters a deal with the Taliban that jeopardizes women’s rights, their access to education, and the ability to work. Nearly 66% of the respondents would not support the deal if the Afghan government losses territory for a peace settlement.

Although there is an overwhelming consensus among Afghans for peace and the continuation of negotiations with the Taliban, they do not support compromising the Constitution of Afghanistan, losing territories to the armed groups, and losing women’s human rights.

The survey also reveals that an increasing number of Afghans have access to information and media, with TV taking over radio as a source of information. More than 65% of Afghans responded that they watch television as a source of information, a significant increase from 11.2% in 2013. More than 17% of Afghans now have access to the internet and use the platform for accessing information. The percentage of Afghans having access to the internet has increased an impressive 16 fold, from 1.1% in 2006.

Protecting freedom of speech and freedom of the press are also among the higher priorities for Afghans to be protected during the negotiations with the armed groups. More than 80% of the respondents believe that freedom of speech and freedom of the press must be protected.

Source: Asian Foundation 12/3/19

Afghan Civil Society Highlights Human Rights and Social Justice Issues

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Building civil society (non-governmental and non-profit organizations) has been one of the major achievements in Afghanistan in the last 18 years. This flourishing new field gained recognition early on and became influential in addressing issues in the interest of the public. These issues have often included human rights, women’s rights, government accountability, foreign assistance, and economic prosperity. Civil society organizations have also been critical in raising awareness on various issues. Their activism has mobilized and engaged the public broadly on many critical issues.

Recently, two members of the civil society conducted a study of the abuse of young boys at the hands of their teachers, so-called religious members of the society, and other powerful men. Their report shines a necessary light on the problem of pedophilia and gained the attention of authorities and the public to speak about it. Pedophilia, a taboo topic across the world, is especially so in traditional and patriarchal societies like Afghanistan.

The study, the media coverage surrounding the study, and the continued debate on the subject prove the strength of civil society in Afghanistan. Although the two members were arrested by their local intelligence office, they were released quickly after because of the pressure from the civil society organizations, a further indication of their position in the Afghan public debate.

Civil society organizations are a relatively new field in Afghanistan, but these organizations have grown over the last nearly two decades and have been recognized in the national and international community. As of August 2015, there are 5,789 associations and 2,060 non-governmental organizations registered with the Ministry of Economy. Most of these organizations are led by the young generation of Afghanistan with progressive views, often focusing on issues of education, civic engagement, children’s rights, women’s rights, human rights, and the environment.

Sources: The Guardian 11/25/19, Tolonews 11/26/19

 

All-Male Feminism Panel in Pakistan Receives Backlash

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The Arts Council of Pakistan received backlash for its discussion titled “Feminism; The Other Perspective,” which featured an all-male panel.

After receiving criticism on social media, the Arts Council of Pakistan changed the name of the discussion, the makeup of the panel, and the graphics promoting the discussion. Originally, “Feminism; The Other Perspective” featured all-male decision-makers from major media houses and major followings. The discussion featured one woman as a moderator, yet in graphics advertising the event, her name was included after all of the men’s names.

The Arts Council of Pakistan, after receiving harsh criticism on social media, has since renamed the discussion “Understanding Feminism,” added two women to the panel, and changed the graphic so that the moderator’s name, Uzma Al-Karim, is more noticeable. The two women now included in the panel are feminist Mehtab Akbar Rashdi and journalist Quatrina Hosain.

Uzma Al-Karim reported, “Our purpose was to get men having decision-making powers in major media houses and those with a following to talk about their understanding of feminism. We wanted to register their perception because they were in a position to influence public opinion. And that’s why we called it ‘The Other Perspective.’” Organizers originally claimed participants “will see some very notable people of our country shedding light on the topic from their point of view.”

Jibran Nasir, a male human rights activist scheduled to be on the panel, tweeted in wake of the social media criticism, “I was informed the panel is about men talking to other men about rethinking masculinity and why as men we need feminism. It wasn’t to explain feminism or talk about women issues as men.” Nasir failed to comment on whether he was informed the panel was all-male.

Nida Kirmani, a professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences, said she thought that while men debating feminism is justified, there was a miscommunication on the concept of the panel. She said, “I think this reaction was also caused by the fact that we are getting sick of seeing male panelists endlessly debating frivolous issues on electronic media.”

Pakistan is ranked as the sixth most dangerous country for women. The World Bank estimated that around one in three Pakistani women will be victim to physical violence. Such violence includes kidnappings, sexual harassment, acid attacks, rape, and honor killings. With more than 51,241 cases of violence being reported between January 2011 and January 2017, conviction rates remain low at around 2.5% of all cases ending up being convicted.

Sources: BBC 11/22/19, Independent 11/23/19, DW 9/23/19

Seattle Man Whose Guns Were Confiscated for Threats Against Women has Guns Returned by Judge

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A Seattle man, who made multiple gun violence threats on social media, had his guns returned to him by a judge.

Charles Donnelly had his firearms, all legally owned, confiscated in mid-October after multiple threatening social media posts. Several weeks later, he returned to court and testified that the posts were only jokes. His lawyer, Derek Smith, argued that because Mr. Donnelly had no prior history of criminal or drug issues, the seizure is an infringement on Mr. Donnelly’s First and Second Amendment rights. The judged agreed and ordered the return of the firearms.

The guns were confiscated when authorities raided Mr. Donnelly’s home after being alarmed by his posts. They found three handguns and three rifles, one of which was an AK-47 rifle with accompanying magazines. They were confiscated on the grounds of the state’s “red flag” laws that help prevent gun violence. The initiative against Mr. Donnelly was led by Kim Wyatt, a prosecutor who argued that Mr. Donnelly’s posts “implied [a] threat of mass shooting.”

The alarming posts included a range of different threats, from threatening his mother with a gun and different fantasies about violence against women. One post on Twitter said he would “shoot any woman any time for any reason.” Other gender-based violence posts included, “Prowling the Seattle streets for women to assault. No luck so far. Hopefully my urges will be satisfied soon,” and, “Kill all women.” Another post showed him holding two AK-47 rifles with the caption, “one ticket for Joker please.” This last post came in early October, shortly before the release of the new Joker movie, striking officials as alarming enough to go through with the confiscation, although Ms. Wyatt argued that all of the posts were alarming enough.

Mr. Donnelly argues that his jokes were mocking those who would make such comments, and was surprised his posts were taken so seriously by the government. He reported that he “did not necessarily regret his social media postings” and that he was in favor of some aspects of red flag laws. His lawyer said, “It is crystal clear to Mr. Donnelly that the state is looking over his shoulder, watching everything that he posts, and that if they don’t follow the joke, then they are going to come after him for a violation of his rights.”

This event has sparked a serious discussion about the limits of gun control and where it begins to infringe upon the Second Amendment, as well as the limits of free speech on common red flag laws. Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, argued that these initiatives don’t allow for due process under the law and make those accused “guilty until proven innocent.” Some are saying that this is an opportunity for judges to find the right balance between gun control and constitutionality. Ms. Wyatt asked “the court to balance the community safety needs versus the temporary deprivation of Mr. Donnelly’s rights to possess firearms.”

Sources: NY Times 11/18/19, Independent 11/19/19

Representative Carolyn Maloney Elected to Lead House Committee on Oversight and Reform

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New York Representative Carolyn Maloney was elected chairwoman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Wednesday after winning a caucus-wide vote for the position, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a news release.

As the most senior member of the panel, Maloney has been serving as acting chairwoman since the October 17th death of Representative Elijah Cummings, but she faced a challenge from Representative Gerry Connolly of Virginia, who argued to his colleagues he was better equipped to handle the rigors of impeachment and battling Republicans intent on protecting the Trump administration from scrutiny. Ultimately, though, Democrats elected Maloney the first woman to head the powerful panel by a vote of 133 to 86.

“The Congress and the country were devastated by the loss of Chairman Elijah Cummings, a master of the House who led the Committee on Oversight and Reform with great honor, integrity and principle,” Pelosi said. “Now, our Caucus has elected Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a deeply respected and battle-tested leader, to this critical post.”

Maloney’s victory concludes a quiet but momentous race among Democrats to succeed the late Representative Cummings. Maloney will join the trio of lawmakers leading the investigation into President Trump’s efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, but the House committee is not only important because of its role in the impeachment inquiry. It has also played a major role in taking on issues the Democratic party had with the Trump administration before the Ukraine matter: the committee held hearings on the census citizenship question, the administration’s border policies, and its security clearance policies earlier this year. Moving forward, Maloney will use the power of the gavel to continue these investigations that Cummings began.

“I’m honored by this opportunity to do more for the American people and will do my best to follow the honorable example that Chairman Cummings left for us all,” Maloney said in a statement. “There’s much work to be done.”

Electing Maloney, Democratic leaders sought to avoid an internal battle in the midst of their impeachment inquiry. Maloney, 73, is the committee’s most senior lawmaker and was already acting chairwoman after Cumming’s death. On Tuesday, an important group of Democratic lawmakers formally recommended that she led the panel.

Even though Maloney has not played a central role in some of the House’s most controversial investigations, her supporters argued that a woman should be among the lawmakers leading the impeachment inquiry. Democrats have also historically rewarded seniority, and she received the backing of both the Congressional Black Caucus and Representative James E. Clyburn, the number three Democrat.

“That is our tradition,” said Representative Emanuel Cleaver II, a former chair of the caucus. “It would not be in our interest to oppose seniority.”

Maloney has been a member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform since she joined Congress in 1993.

Sources: CNN 11/20/19; NY Times 11/20/19; TWP 11/20/19

Taliban Releases Two Kidnapped AUAF Professors in Zabul

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The Taliban has freed two Western hostages Tuesday, American Kevin King and Australian Timothy Weeks, after holding them hostage for more than three years, a U.S. official and the prime minister of Pakistan said Tuesday.

Kevin King, 63, from the United States, and Timothy Weeks, 50, from Australia, were professors at American University of Afghanistan who were abducted at gunpoint by the Haqqani Network in Kabul in August 2016.

In accordance with a deal announced by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani last week, the professors were freed in exchange for the release of Taliban members Anas Haqqani, Hafiz Rasheed, and Mali Khan. The three Haqqani Network commanders who were captured outside of Afghanistan in 2014. The prisoner swap was described by President Ghani as a gesture to restart peace talks.

On Monday, President Ghani spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, in two separate calls, to “review the steps necessary to release three Haqqani prisoners” and they agreed that “a ceasefire and/or reduction of violence was necessary to begin intra-Afghan negotiations,” the Presidential Palace said in a series of tweets.

“We appreciate steps taken by all involved to make it possible,” Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan said via Twitter. “As part of the international community working to bring peace and end the suffering of the Afghan people, Pakistan has fully supported and facilitated this release as part of its policy of supporting initiatives for a negotiated political settlement of the Afghan conflict.”

The American University of Afghanistan welcomed the news soon after the announcement. “The AUAF community shares the relief of the families of Kevin and Timothy, and we look forward to providing all the support we can to Kevin and Tim and their families,” the university said in a statement.

King was suffering from “serious” and “multiple” health issues, according to a Taliban leader in Zabul. “The American teacher was having some serious health problems that we handed him over to the U.S. and Afghan officials.”

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed the professors’ release too. “Tim’s family has asked for privacy. They have asked the Australian Government to convey their relief that their long ordeal is over, and their gratitude to all those who have contributed to Tim’s safe return,” he said on Twitter.

The prisoner exchange raises hopes that negotiations between the United States and the Taliban may restart after President Donald Trump pulled the plug on a potential deal to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from the country, ending America’s longest war. Negotiations broke down on September 7th, and it remains unclear if and when they will start again.

“These actions are a step forward in good-will and confidence building measures that can aid the peace process,” the Taliban said in a statement Tuesday.

Sources: TOLOnews 11/19/19; NBC News 11/19/19

House Oversight Committee Holds Hearing On State Reproductive Health Care Access

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The House Committee on Oversight and Reform held a congressional hearing on November 14, 2019 to examine state efforts to undermine access to reproductive health care.

Led by Acting Chairwoman Maloney, the committee examined “how states, emboldened by the Trump Administration’s sustained and systematic attacks on reproductive health care, are restricting access, and it will explore the federal government’s role in preserving access to reproductive health care services for patients across the United States.” To do this, the committee brought forth a panel of witnesses that show “patient, provider, and advocacy perspectives on how state policies – like those in Missouri – are impacting access to comprehensive reproductive health care services, including abortion.” These witnesses include Fatima Goss Graves, President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Women’s Law Center, Marcela Howell, Founder and President/Chief Executive Officer of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and Dr. Colleen McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer of the Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri. The panel also included the stories of Jennifer Box, who shared her story of her family’s decision to get an abortion, and Allie Stuckey, the minority witness who advocated on behalf of the pro-life movement.

The hearing focused mostly on the efforts of the Planned Parenthoods in Missouri, with Dr. McNicholas’ expert and first-hand experience. Republican representatives questioned Dr. McNicholas on the operations of Planned Parenthood while Democratic representatives asked about her experience with Missouri’s restrictions on reproductive health care providers. As she put it, “In my exam room, abortion is not political, it is simply healthcare.” Dr. McNicholas talked about Planned Parenthood Missouri’s efforts to provide abortion services despite the targeted restrictions, as well as many other reproductive care services. Representative William Clay of Missouri stated, ”I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood because they are truly on the front lines of defending women’s healthcare.” Dr. McNicholas responded that the LGBTQ community also needs “access [to] care in a place they feel respected and dignified and Planned Parenthood is happy to be one of those places.”

In her opening statement, Dr. McNicholas talked about Missouri’s recent targeted restrictions. She shared stories of the Missouri State Department of Health and Senior Services enforcing a medically unnecessary pelvic exam requirement on patients 72 hours prior to receiving an abortion. She also gave insight into the recent events of Missouri’s State Health Department’s director, Randall Williams, admitting the government tracked and kept a spreadsheet of Planned Parenthood’s patient’s menstrual cycles.

This hearing comes after a serious of state governments systematically restricting access to reproductive health care, with Missouri on the front lines of this effort. Missouri currently has “only one health clinic that provides abortion in the state and is at risk of being the first state in the country without a single abortion clinic.” These movements have been in alignment with the Trump Administration’s efforts to restrict reproductive health care, which includes expanding the rights of providers to discriminate by denying care and breaking down the Title X federal family planning program.

Sources: Washington Post 11/10/19, Committee on Oversight and Reform 11/14/19

Non-Binary Gender option now available on Massachusetts Driver’s Licenses

Posted on by Feminist Newswire

On Tuesday, the State Department of Transportation reported that the gender designation “X” became part of the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle’s technology system upgrade, launched by Governor Charlie Baker’s office. The department added that the option is also available for new credential issuance, renewals and amendments of licenses and IDs. This change comes following the agency’s failure to keep up with out of state license suspensions, leading to a comprehensive reform.

The move was met with backlash by some with Massachusetts GOP Chairman Jim Lyons saying “the fact they want to make this an issue front and center just adds to the reason people are so upset at government. The insanity continues.” Lyons is known for blocking the bill while he was in the legislature, hence delaying the non-binary designation on the licenses.

Despite some backlash, many see this change as a step forward for the LGBTQIA+ community. Massachusetts has now joined several other states including California, Maine and Idaho in legalizing gender neutral license recognitions. Senate President Karen E. Spilka said this move is, “an important step towards letting people be who they are. Not everyone in this world fits neatly into the traditional categories of what we have been thinking of as male or female.”

“It’s a public acknowledge of the reality of how people live their lives. Up until this change, non-binary folks essentially had to lie on their driver’s license and other documents as well. This is hugely meaningful because it allows people to tell the truth and to be respectful of that truth,” added the co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, Arline Isaacson.

 

Source: CNN 11/13/19; CBS Boston 11/13/19 ; Boston Herald 11/13/19 ; Mass Live 11/13/19

The Apple Credit Card is Being Investigated for Sexism by a U.S. Regulator

Posted on by Feminist Newswire

A U.S. financial regulator has opened an investigation into claims Apple’s credit card offered different credit limits for men and women.

It follows complaints that algorithms used to set credit card limits may be inherently biased against women.

“My wife and I filed joint tax returns, live in a community-property state, and have been married for a long time,” software entrepreneur David Heinemeier Hansson tweeted Thursday. “Yet Apple’s black box algorithm thinks I deserve 20x the credit limit she does. No appeals work. Even when she pays off her ridiculously low limit in full, the card won’t approve any spending until the next billing period.”

Later, Steve Wozniak, who co-founded Apple with Steve Jobs, tweeted that the same thing happened to him and his wife despite their having no separate assets or bank accounts. “The same thing happened to us. We have no separate bank accounts or assets of any kind. We both have the same high limits on our cards, including our AmEx Centurion card. But 10x on the Apple Card,” Wozniak wrote.

New York’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) has contacted Goldman Sachs, which runs the card. Any discimination, intentional or not, “violates New York law,” the DFS said. Linda Lacewell, superintendent of the state’s Department of Financial Services, dismissed Goldman Sachs’ defense that the credit limits are scored by an algorithm that scores individual creditworthiness.

“New York law prohibits discrimination against protected classes of individuals, which means an algorithm, as with any other method of determining creditworthiness, cannot result in disparate treatment for individuals based on age, creed, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or other protected characteristics,” Lacewell stated in a post on Medium.

Banks and other lenders are increasingly using machine-learning technology to cut costs and boost loan applications. Hansson said Apple’s indiscretion highlights how algorithms, not just people, can discriminate.

“Apple Card is a sexist program. It does not matter what the intent of individual Apple reps are, it matters what THE ALGORITHM they’ve placed their complete faith in does. And what it does is discriminate,” Hansson tweeted. He also said that as soon as he raised the issue, his wife’s credit limit was increased.

The DFS said in a statement that it “will be conducting an investigation to determine whether New York law was violated and ensure all consumers are treated equally regardless of sex.” “Any algorithm that intentionally or not results in discriminatory treatment of women or any other protected class violates New York law.”

On Saturday, Goldman Sachs investment bank told Bloomberg: “Our credit decisions are based on a customer’s creditworthiness and not on factors like gender, race, age, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law.”

The Apple Card, launched in August, is Goldman’s first credit card. The Wall Street investment bank has been offering more products to consumers, including personal loans and savings accounts through its Marcus online bank.

The iPhone maker markets Apple Card on its website as a “new kind of credit card, created by Apple, not a bank”.

Sources: Twitter 11/7/19; Twitter 11/10/19; BBC 11/11/19; LA Times 11/11/19

Australian Woman’s Stalker Used an App to Track Her Phone and Control Her Car

Posted on by Feminist Newswire

An Australian woman’s ex-boyfriend used multiple apps to stalk her, including an app that controlled the functions of her car.

The 38-year old man pleaded guilty on charges of stalking his ex-girlfriend, to whom he dated for six months. After police searched his home, they found a notebook tracking his ex-girlfriend’s information, including places she frequently went, and a list of the costs of weapons.

The woman realized she was being stalked when she lost her phone and went online to track it. She found emails that contained proof her ex-boyfriend was compiling information on her whereabouts, such as the location of her car and her phone. She reported, “I was in shock and fear for my life when I realized he was stalking me and had control of my car.”

The man had shown patterns of stalking before. The woman reported that at one point, he had snuck into her room at night and stood at the foot of her bed. When she awoke, he said to her, “You’re lucky it’s just me and not a robber or a bad person to do you harm.” She told the court, he stood there for what “seemed like an eternity.”

In the time that the two dated, the ex-boyfriend helped the woman purchase a new car, allowing him access to the car’s identification number. He then downloaded Land Rover’s “In-Control” app that can start, stop, and track the location of her car. Additionally, he downloaded software to his phone that allowed him to track her cell phone for a monthly fee.

The woman said, “I am still trying to come to terms with the scope of violation and trauma I have experienced.”

The case has opened a larger conversation about cybersecurity and domestic abuse. Karen Levy, a professor of sociology at Cornell University, wrote, “Many forms of digital abuse require little to no sophistication and are carried out using everyday devices and services. But at the same time, digital intimate partner abuse is incredibly hard to fight, because the relationship between abuser and victim is socially complex. Abusers have different kinds of access to and knowledge about their victims than the privacy threats we often think about.”

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, more than 50% of domestic violence victim service providers reported that offenders use cellphone apps to stalk their victims. Erica Olsen, the director of Safety Net Project at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, said, “What we know, what we’ve always known, is that abusers and perpetrators will use any tactic and tool they can access in order to perpetrate harassment and abuse. These are modern forms of old tactics and behaviors. The behavior is not new, but the technology is.”

Sources: Washington Post 11/6/19, Business Insider 11/7/19

Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on DACA Case

Posted on by Corinne Long

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) case. The Obama-era federal program that has allowed over 700,000 undocumented immigrants to avoid deportation, was rolled back by the Trump administration. The initiative allows children of undocumented immigrants who’ve arrived in the US when at a very young age, to remain in the country.

The current administration says the program which was enforced through executive order was illegal and therefore ought to be rolled back. Ted Olson, the Washington DC lawyer defending DACA in court has responded that the administration, does not want to “take responsibility for it. Instead of saying, ‘We want to eliminate DACA because we don’t like the program, because we want to send a message,’ they didn’t want any of those things.”

The decision by the Trump administration prompted a public outcry by immigration rights activists, educational institutions, and business leaders. Microsoft was one of the companies which filed a lawsuit against Trump’s decision to end the program, it said in the court documents that more than 60 DACA recipients are employed in the company.

“These young people contribute to our company and serve our customers. They help create our products, secure our services, and manage our finances,” it said in the lawsuit.  According to official figures, more than 90 percent of DACA recipients are employed and around half are in school. Majority of them are from Mexico and Central America, however they’ve never been to their parents’ home countries.

Many DACA recipients will be at the hearings on Tuesday. Claudia Quiñez from Maryland says she came to the US with her mother at age 11. “DACA truly changed my life. I have a Social Security number. I have the ability to work, to contribute, and pay taxes,” she said. Quiñez is one among thousands of DACA recipients whose residence in the US is on the line and will be nervously watching the hearings on Tuesday.

Japanese Companies Ban Glasses For Women At Work

Posted on by Feminist Newswire

Some Japanese companies are enforcing sexist dress code policies, including banning glasses and makeup requirements, sparking a social justice movement amongst Japanese women.

Women are reporting on their companies’ sexist dress code policies and the lengths they have had to reach to comply with them. These policies range from shoe styles to hair and nail colors.

Businesses are telling women to not wear their glasses to work, regardless of their medical need for them. Companies are citing a multitude of reasons depending on the line of work. Airline companies are saying the glasses ban is for security reasons. Makeup industries are claiming that the glasses prohibit seeing someone’s eye makeup. If a woman is a receptionist or talks to customers frequently, businesses are citing that glasses could make women appear cold or unwelcoming. However, men receptionists in the same positions are not being asked to wear contacts.

Women are being forced to go to extremes to comply with the glasses ban. Some women with poor vision are forced to bring eye drops to soothe their eyes after a full work day of wearing contacts. One woman reported that her eyes were so irritated from her contacts that during her breaks she would simply close her eyes to help alleviate the irritation. Other women have resorted to laser eye surgery to correct their vision.

Other explicit dress code policies for women include a requirement for makeup and a ban on non-conservative makeup. Women also cite a requirement for heels in the workplace. Takumi Nemoto, Japan’s health minister, said heels were “necessary and appropriate” for women in the workplace.

Many claim that these dress code policies are due to antiquated Japanese values. Kumiko Nemoto, a sociology professor at Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, said, “The reasons why women are not supposed to wear glasses … really don’t make sense. It’s all about gender. It’s pretty discriminatory.” She added, “It’s not about how women do their work. The company … values the women’s appearance as being feminine and that’s opposite to someone who wears glasses.”

Earlier last year, Lim Hyeon-ju, a South Korean news reporter, broke the social norm when she wore glasses during her newsreel. Many women cited this as a wakeup call about beauty standards.

Japanese women are starting a movement with strong social media support in response to the dress codes. Yumi Ishikawa, an actor and writer, started a petition after being required to wear high heels in her part time job at a funeral parlor. This launched a movement of solidarity amongst women rallying behind the hashtag #KuToo. Professor Nemoto added that the high heel policies “evaluate [women] mostly on their appearance. That’s the message that these policies are sending.”

Sources: BBC 11/08/19, Business Insider 11/09/19

Director Roman Polanski Accused of 1975 Rape by French Actress

Posted on by Feminist Newswire

Valentine Monnier, a 62 year old French actress, revealed in an interview with Le Parisien that director Roman Polanski violently raped her in 1975 at his skiing chalet in Gstaad, Switzerland. At the time, Monnier was 18 years old while Polanski was 42. She told Le Parisien that she went to Polanski’s skiing chalet with a group of friends, even though she did not know him personally.

Polanski had made sexual advances towards her while they were seated together on a ski lift. Even though Monnier had expressed her disinterest, he asked her for a private moment alone with her after dinner. “Life had not yet taught me to be suspicious,” she explained to the paper. Polanski then emerged fully nude and raped her.

Monnier is the sixth woman to accuse Polanski of rape. His other accusers all allege that he sexually assaulted them when they were teenagers or younger, the youngest having been 10 years old when he is said to have molested her. Perhaps the most recognizable case is that of Samantha Geimer (née Gailey), who, in 1977, accused him of drugging her and raping her after taking photographs of her for the magazine Vogue Hommes. He was commissioned to take a series of photos of adolescent girls, and later said that he wanted to depict them as “sexy, pert, and thoroughly human.”

Polanski was indicted on six criminal counts, including sodomy, sexual intercourse with a minor, and rape by the use of drugs. He then fled to France in 1978 to avoid being charged, and has been living there ever since. Prosecutors in Los Angeles have tried for years to bring Polanski back to the United States to resolve the case, but the French government has refused to extradite him.

In Monnier’s case, the statute of limitations for rape in France is 20 years, meaning that there is no way for Polanski to face charges. She said that she decided to come forward with her story because the publicity surrounding Polanski’s new film, “J’Accuse” (named “An Officer and a Spy” in English) has revived traumatic memories for her. The film is about Captain Alfred Dreyfus, a French-Jewish officer who was wrongly accused of spying for Germany in the 1890’s. Polanski has said in interviews that he feels he can relate to Dreyfus’s story because he has also been repeatedly targeted by these accusations.

“Is this tenable, under the pretext of a film, the cover of history to hear ‘I accuse’ from the man who marked you like with iron when it is forbidden for you, the victim, to accuse him?” Monnier said to Le Parisien. Before publicly coming forward, she had written to both French first lady, Brigitte Macron and the junior minister for gender equality, Marlène Schiappa, in 2018. Schiappa wrote back to Monnier, admiring her for “breaking a 42 year long silence.”

Sources: the New York Times 11/9/19; Le Parisien 11/8/19; the Independent 10/5/08; Rolling Stone 10/5/17; Variety 11/8/19; CBS News 11/8/19

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