President Joe Biden awarded FMF President Eleanor Smeal the Presidential Citizens Medal. (Jenny Warburg) On January 2nd, Eleanor Smeal, president and co-founder of the Feminist Majority Foundation, received the prestigious Presidential Citizens Medal, an honor given to individuals who have performed “exemplary deeds of service to their country and fellow citizens.” In a moving ceremony […]
Celebrating President Jimmy Carter’s Enduring Commitment to Gender Equality
President Jimmy Carter ceremoniously signing the Equal Rights Amendment extension with FMF President Ellie Smeal behind. As we join the world in mourning President Jimmy Carter’s passing, the Feminist Majority Foundation is also honoring his steadfast dedication to human rights, equality, and justice. Among his many contributions, President Carter’s unwavering support for the Equal Rights […]
The Path to Certifying the ERA Lies With Congress—Not the Archivist
In a statement released on December 17th, the Archivist of the United States, Dr. Colleen Shogan, and the Deputy Archivist, William J. Bosanko, clarified their position on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the constitutional process for ratifying amendments. The press release highlighted their legal responsibilities and the current limitations preventing the ERA from being […]
Afghan Women Denounce Taliban’s Ban on Medical Training
The Taliban has banned education for Afghan girls and women beyond the 6th grade for over three years and higher education for two years. Until recently, the only pathway for education that remained was medical institutions for Afghan women. Two weeks ago, the Taliban announced that female students would be barred from attending medical institutions […]
Human Rights Day – A Day of Mourning for Afghan Women
December 10 is International Human Rights Day. It is a day to commemorate human rights for all regardless of their background, ethnicity, and gender. In Afghanistan, this day stands as a stark reminder of the fundamental rights Afghan women have been denied by the Taliban regime. Afghan women are mourning the loss of their fundamental […]
Gender Affirming Care at Stake in U.S. v. Skrmetti
More than 90% of transgender youth are being denied — or at risk of being denied — critical, age appropriate gender-affirming care. In a country where 24 states have banned hormone therapy and 16 more are in the process of placing bans, approximately 280,300 youth have been affected by the limited protection afforded to them. […]
Proposed Bill Would Lower Iraq’s Age of Consent to 9 Years Old
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 Percent of Women’s Rights have been Provided”
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 Ministry of Vice and Virtue, said “80% of women’s rights have been provided to them. These rights include marriage, […]
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 […]
