Afghanistan Global Health

Taliban Bans the Selling of Contraceptives in Afghanistan

In the latest attack on women, the Taliban has ordered pharmacies in Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif to stop selling any form of contraceptives. The Taliban has called family planning and the use of contraception “Western” and “forbidden” in their interpretation of Sharia law. Mazar-e-Sharif is the largest city in northern Afghanistan, where many family planning programs […]

Election

Midterm elections deliver major victories for abortion rights

While votes continue to be tallied following yesterday’s midterm election, results show resounding support for abortion rights across the country. Five states had reproductive freedom directly on their ballots, and polls demonstrated that abortion rights were a major concern for many voters, especially young women, on either side of the political spectrum as they entered […]

Abortion Election

New Survey: Concern Over Abortion and Equal Rights Top Inflationby 22 Points as Main Drivers of Young Women’s Vote in Battleground States

A new Ms. magazine and Feminist Majority Foundation poll by Lake Research Partners across nine battleground states* finds that among young women voters, ages 18-29, abortion and women’s rights are the most important and highly motivating issues in determining their vote. And among women voters of all ages in battleground states, abortion and women’s rights […]

Activism Global Womens Rights

Iranian Women Leading Unprecedented Protests

“Woman. Life. Freedom.” This is the chant that has been heard around the world as Iranian women lead an unprecedented revolution for freedom in their country. The nationwide protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in the custody of the morality police after she was arrested for not properly wearing […]

Education

Biden Moves to Reduce Student Debt

Student loan debt disproportionately affect students of color and women. On August 24th, President Biden announced new student loan debt relief. The relief is up to $10,000 for individuals earning less than $125,000 per year and for households earning less than $250,000 a year. Those that received Pell grants for low-income students can have $20,000 […]

Afghanistan

Year In Review: The Taliban in Power

Human rights were curtailed, women were relegated to their homes and a worsening economic crisis The Taliban has been in power in Afghanistan for one year, and during this year, the Afghan people, especially Afghan women, have experienced a systemic reduction of their human rights and freedoms. The Taliban regime has eroded much of the […]

Afghanistan

United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan

Human Rights in Afghanistan: 15 August 2021 to 15 June 2022 Following the withdrawal of foreign troops and the establishment of the Taliban as the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, there has been a sharp reduction in civilian casualties. Without ongoing hostilities between the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and the Taliban, civilian […]

Abortion

Kansans Kill Restrictive Abortion Initiative

On August 2, Kansas voters whether to amend the state constitution to say it does not include a right to abortion. Nearly 60 percent voted against the measure, affirming that a majority of Kansans support abortion access.  The measure was part of a primary ballot, which are closed in Kansas. Registered Republicans far outnumber Democrats […]

Abortion

President Biden Signs Executive Order to Protect Traveling for Abortion Care

With continuous restrictions and bans on abortion across the country, the need to travel for abortion care has risen astronomically. Additionally, certain states have tried to further restrict access to reproductive healthcare by hindering cross-state traveling for abortions in any way they can. To combat these restrictions, President Biden has signed an Executive Order tasking […]

Health Reproductive Rights

Birth Control and Contraceptive Coverage Guaranteed Under Affordable Care Act

Though birth control has overwhelming support across the United States, Justice Clarence Thomas continues to challenge access to contraception. In recent news, however, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has actually been able to reaffirm contraceptive coverage. President Biden issued an Executive Order on July 28, 2022, which ensured that people would have access to reproductive […]

Health

Biden Administration Takes Steps to Combat Maternal Mortality

The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation in the world and has a rate more than double that of peer countries. Recently, the Biden Administration has taken many steps to tackle this, as a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis. According to CNN, […]

Campus

Young Voters Are Critical, If They Can Be Convinced to Vote

At post-Roe rallies across the country, speakers voiced concern not just for bodily autonomy but for the systems that control it. Confidence in the U.S. democratic system — and Democrats, in particular — is chipping. “If you care about abortion rights,” said congressional candidate Summer Lee (D-PA), “it’s time you stop saying, ‘Vote blue no […]

Afghanistan

Timeline of Taliban Restrictions of Women’s Rights

August 2021 On August 25, the Taliban issued a temporary advisory for women to stay home from work and nonessential travel “for their safety”. At a news conference, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid said women should remain at home because Taliban soldiers were not trained to respect them. Mujahid explained this decision would ensure that women […]

Abortion

Committee on Oversight and Reform Hosts Dobbs Hearing

Wednesday, July 13, 2022 — Rep Carolyn B. Maloney of New York’s 12th district and Chairwoman of the Committee on Oversight and Reform hosted a hearing focused on the impacts on those living in states which have already banned or restricted access to abortion in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson […]

Abortion

Two Abortion Protection Bills Advance to Senate

The House passed legislation to codify abortion access on July 15. The Women’s Health Protection Act prohibits pre-viability and telehealth abortion bans. Henry Cueller (D-CA) was the only Representative to break party lines in the 219-210 vote. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) abstained. The House and Senate sponsors are Judy Chu (D-CA) and […]