Two same-sex couples in Texas have asked a federal judge to hear their case challenging the 2005 amendment to the state constitution banning same-sex marriage. The couples will appear today in a San Antonio federal district court.
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Founding Feminists: February 11, 1937
Amelia Earhart, who became the first woman – and only the second person – to fly solo across the North Atlantic five years ago, announced plans today for a far more ambitious adventure.
South Dakota Bill Would Ban Second Trimester Abortions
South Dakota is already one of the most restrictive states for women’s health.
Justice Department Will Recognize Same-Sex Marriages in All Programs
“As all-important as the fight against racial discrimination was then, and remains today, know this: My commitment to confronting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity runs just as deep.”
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UN Human Rights Chief Calls for Gender Integration in Post-2015 Goals
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, called for gender equality to be comprehensively included in the UN’s post-2015 goals yesterday at the opening of the 57th Session of Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). “We believe there should be a stand-alone goal or goals on […]
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Founding Feminists: February 10, 1919
A landmark suffrage victory came tantalizingly close today, but still remains just out of reach.
Thousands March in North Carolina Against Restrictive GOP Policies
Around 80,000 to 100,000 people from 32 states marched in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday to protest the state’s GOP-led legislature’s extremist attacks on human and voting rights and vital public assistance programs.
Military Sexual Assault Bill Expected To Come To Vote This Week
“The men and women of our military deserve better,” Gillibrand told The Washington Post.
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UN and African Union Sign Agreement Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
The African Union (AU) and the United Nations signed a landmark agreement last week committing to improving the prevention of and response to sexual violence, particularly conflict-related violence, in African countries. The agreement aims to strengthen national policies, laws, and organizations already trying to combat sexual violence, and to train police forces and peacekeepers on […]
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Founding Feminists: February 6, 1910
” …unless this cause means freedom and equal rights to all women, of every race, of every creed, rich or poor, its doctrines are worthless, and it must fail in its achievements.”
Single-Sex Education Benefits Challenged By New Study
A study published in the Psychological Bulletin on Monday challenges claims of the benefits of single-sex education.
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Afghan Parliament Votes to Silence Victims of Violence
Both houses of the Afghan Parliament have voted to pass an act that would prohibit relatives from testifying against a criminal defendant in a judicial proceeding. If signed by President Hamid Karzai, the proposed change to the Afghan criminal code would prevent family members from testifying as victims or witnesses in all criminal cases, including […]
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Thousands Protest Spain’s Plan to Restrict Abortion
Thousands of people marched to Spain’s parliament in Madrid on Saturday to protest a potential new law that would severely restrict women’s right to have an abortion. The law, which was passed by Spain’s cabinet in December 2013, would allow abortion only in cases of rape or if the physical or psychological health of the […]
Senate Cuts Food Stamps For 850,000 Households
850,000 households across the country – encompassing 1.7 million people – are now set to lose around $90 a month in food stamp benefits because of the US Senate vote last night on the 2014 Farm Bill.
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Founding Feminists: February 5, 1917
Margaret Sanger is in Brooklyn’s Raymond Street Jail tonight, beginning a 30-day sentence for the “crime” of giving out birth control information.
Family Medical Leave Act Turns 21 Today
Some 100 million U.S. workers have enjoyed time off because of the FMLA, and most employers have reported no negative impact on business profitability or productivity because of the law.
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UN Demands Vatican Take Action Against Child Sexual Abuse
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) has urged the Vatican act to address child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy members and take measures to prevent it from happening in the future. The CRC recommended that the Holy See remove all clergy who are confirmed or suspected child abusers from their […]
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Founding Feminists: February 4, 1919
With just six days left until a crucial vote in the Senate, William Jennings Bryan spent today at the Capitol lobbying hard for the one more vote suffrage supporters still need for final Congressional approval of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment.
Louisiana Scraps Abortion Restrictions After Pro-Choice Protests
Pro-choice activists who traveled to Baton Rouge are hosting a celebratory rally this afternoon.
Presidential Candidates Begin Campaigns for Afghanistan’s April Election
Candidates for Afghanistan’s upcoming April election kicked off their presidential campaigns on Sunday. According to TOLO News, many of the 11 candidates have focused on similar, broad issues so far, including security, human rights, women’s participation in government, corruption, and economic development. Activists and members of Afghanistan’s parliament pointed out the lack of specific goals […]