Amid calls from anti-abortion lawmakers to defund Planned Parenthood, the organizations’s president Cecile Richards testified today in front of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The initial purpose of the hearing was to “investigate” Planned Parenthood’s use of federal funds in light of unscrupulous and thoroughly debunked claims that the organization profits from fetal tissue […]
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Mifepristone: More Than An Abortion Pill – A Lifesaver for Women
Although drug mifepristone is most commonly used for early abortion, Beth Jordan, MD., explains why it should also be widely available to treat life-saving medical and mental health conditions that disproportionately impact women.
World Leaders Commit to Ending Gender Discrimination at UN Summit
On the 20th anniversary of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, leaders from around the globe met with the UN to discuss concrete and measurable plans for eliminating discrimination against women.
Senate Democrats Block Effort to Defund Planned Parenthood
Senators voted 47-52 yesterday to block a short-term spending bill, falling short of the 60 votes needed to defund Planned Parenthood beginning in October.
Abuse Victim Advocate Blasts Pope’s Remarks on US Bishops’ ‘Courage’
In a statement released Wednesday by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, president Barbara Blaine blasted Pope Francis for his praise of US bishops’ “courage,” accusing the pontiff of doing “little if anything” to meaningfully address the Catholic Church’s decades-long sex abuse crisis.
National Women’s Groups Urge Jerry Brown to Sign California FACT Law
Women’s rights groups, including the Feminist Majority Foundation, urge Governor Brown to sign FACT Act, requiring unlicensed crisis pregnancy centers to disclose that they are not medical providers.
Anti-Abortion Group Loses Last Ditch Attempt to Avoid Legal Process
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that the anti-abortion group calling itself the Center for Medical Progress must provide documents and respond to questions concerning deceptive videos the group produced to mislead the public about Planned Parenthood.
PPFA President Agrees to Testify Before House Committee; House Dems Demand CMP Testify, Too
Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards has agreed to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is chaired by Reps. John Chaffetz (R-UT). The House Committee is “investigating” allegations against Planned Parenthood after the release of highly edited and misleading videos from anti-choice group calling itself the Center for […]
Senate Democrats Block Restrictive 20-Week Abortion Ban
Senate Dems blocked HR 36, a restrictive 20-week abortion ban that would force rape survivors under 18 years of age seeking abortion care to report the crime to authorities.
University of Texas’ Choice of Athletic Director Reveals Deep Inequality
Mike Perrin, a lawyer and former college football player, was chosen as the new interim athletic director for University of Texas over Chris Plonsky, a woman who has worked in the athletic department of the university for a quarter of a century.
Federal Court Rules Anti-Abortion Group Can’t Plead the Fifth
“It’s telling that the defendants have been very vocal in the media saying that they have nothing to hide, yet in federal court they want to plead the Fifth,” said NAF President Vicki Saporta.
Feminist Groups Oppose FratPAC Bill
The bill would make it more difficult for colleges and universities to address campus sexual assault by requiring survivors to report incidents of sexual assault to a law enforcement agency before a school could investigate sexual assault allegations.
BREAKING: House Votes to Defund Planned Parenthood
In a 241-187 vote, the House of Representatives voted this afternoon, mostly on party lines with Republicans for and Democrats against, to strip federal funding of Planned Parenthood for a full year. The House also voted 248-177 to pass the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, which threatens doctors with new criminal penalties, up to five […]
Virginia Board of Health Rolls Back Restrictive TRAP Law
In a major win for Virginia women, the Board of Health voted yesterday to rescind a restrictive and medically unnecessary abortion clinic standard law that threatened 18 clinics across the state.
House to Vote This Week on ‘Defund Planned Parenthood Act’
Given that Planned Parenthood provides quality, affordable reproductive health care to 2.7 million women, men and teens at approximately 700 health centers nationwide, the stakes could not be higher.
Over 200 Business Professors Urge Congress to Support Paid Leave Law
In an unprecedented effort to spur legislative action, 203 professors from the nation’s highest ranking business schools sent Congress a letter Tuesday, urging the passage of the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, a law which would guarantee up to 12 weeks of partial income for employees on medical leave. Currently, a mere 13 […]
The White House Launches College Scorecard System
The Obama Administration unveiled a new College Scorecard this weekend that ranks colleges and universities across the country, aiming to empower students in their college search.
Con Edison to Pay $3.8 Million in Sex Discrimination Suit
New York utility company Con Edison will be forced to pay $3.8 million to more than 300 of its women workers who were subjected to sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination.
New Data Reveals Slow Progress For Women in Global Leadership
On anniversary of United Nations’ resolution, new data shows that most countries are far behind on their goals for women in positions of global leadership.
Farmworker Women Awarded $17 Million in Sexual Harassment Suit
In a landmark victory, a federal jury unanimously decided to award a $17 million settlement to five women farmworkers who were subjected to sexual harassment and intimidation.