Author: Zuleima Noriega

Abortion Rights Win Big in Seven States Despite Challenges

Posted on by Zuleima Noriega

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 passed a referendum that guarantees abortion rights up to fetal viability, around 23–24 weeks of pregnancy. This marks a dramatic shift from the state’s previous 15-week abortion ban. Pro-abortion advocates gathered over 800,000 signatures—double the required amount—and raised $32 million, dwarfing opponents’ fundraising efforts. Moving forward, activists aim to challenge medically unnecessary restrictions like 24-hour waiting periods, mandatory ultrasounds, and a ban on mail-order abortion medication.

Missouri:
Missouri’s state constitution now affirms a “right to reproductive freedom,” effective December 5. This amendment comes as a significant reversal in a state that was the first to ban abortion completely after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Additional ballot measures passed alongside the abortion amendment include a minimum wage increase to $15 per hour and mandatory paid sick leave.

Planned Parenthood of the Great Plains has already filed a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s total abortion ban and other restrictive laws, including requirements for surgical licenses, unnecessary pelvic exams, and 72-hour waiting periods. Dr. Selina Sandoval described these restrictions as a “web of impenetrable, onerous, and medically unnecessary obstacles.” Advocates argue these policies have contributed to high STI rates, poor pregnancy outcomes, and a shortage of healthcare providers in the state.

Nevada:
Nevada’s abortion referendum guarantees the right to an abortion until fetal viability, about 24 weeks, and protects the life of the pregnant person. The law will take effect in 2026, solidifying abortion access under the care of qualified healthcare professionals.

Montana:
Montana voters amended the state constitution to explicitly include a right to abortion. While abortion has been legal since 1999 due to the Montana Supreme Court’s interpretation of the right to privacy, this amendment ensures abortion rights are protected from future judicial reversals.

Colorado:
Colorado voters approved Amendment 79, which establishes the right to abortion, removes restrictions on public funding for abortion services, and mandates abortion coverage in health insurance plans. Additionally, it prevents state and local governments from imposing new restrictions on abortion access.

New York and Maryland:
Both New York and Maryland voters affirmed constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights. New York’s amendment includes an equal protection clause, while Maryland explicitly states its residents have a “right to reproductive freedom.”

Challenges in Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska

Florida:
Abortion rights failed to pass in Florida, where referendums must receive 60% of the vote to succeed—a hurdle imposed by the state legislature. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis also allocated state funds to anti-abortion campaigns, influencing the outcome.

South Dakota:
South Dakota’s referendum proposed allowing abortion in the first trimester but permitted state regulation in later stages. With exceptions limited to saving the life of the pregnant person—not rape or incest—the measure was deemed too restrictive by many voters.

Nebraska:
Nebraska voters faced two opposing ballot measures. One established a 12-week abortion ban with exceptions for rape, incest, and life-threatening cases. The other, which sought to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, failed to pass.

A Step Forward

The victories in Arizona, Missouri, Nevada, Montana, Colorado, New York, and Maryland are monumental steps in ensuring abortion remains accessible and life-saving in these states. While challenges remain in Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska, the progress made demonstrates the strength of grassroots advocacy and the growing demand for reproductive rights.

For now, let’s celebrate the progress achieved and continue working toward a future where every person has the right to make their own reproductive choices.

After the United Nations General Assembly – What’s Next for Afghan Women and Girls?

Posted on by Zuleima Noriega

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 Afghanistan” aimed to raise awareness and rally international support for Afghan women’s rights amid increasing gender-based oppression in Afghanistan.

The events highlighted the severe regression in the human rights of Afghan women and girls since the Taliban’s return to power three years ago. Speakers highlighted the reversal in the gains of women and girls and emphasized the importance of their participation in peace and development efforts. Speakers at the events also reiterated that sustainable development in Afghanistan would not be achieved without the active involvement of women and girls.

And as the Taliban continues to fight for control of Afghanistan’s UN seat, Mr. Guterres said, “Afghanistan will never take its rightful place on the global stage without recognizing the rights of its women.” Speakers in both events stressed that women’s rights must be restored.

For a few days, the outcomes of the events were promising: they highlighted the voices of Afghan women and girls and reinforced the need for accountability and global solidarity. Importantly, it galvanized international responses against Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan and its codification as a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute.

It was also during the UNGA meeting that four countries – Canada, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands – announced that they would file a case against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice for violating its obligations under CEDAW. The Taliban – as the current de-facto authority – would have six months to respond. The four countries – now supported by 22 more countries – are suggesting that Afghanistan has violated its obligation and that the Taliban regime is responsible for those violations. No matter who is in power, a state is responsible for fulfilling its obligation once it signs a law.

The ICJ case under CEDAW and other developments at UNGA, signified hope and a renewed commitment to women’s human rights in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The presence of Afghan women and their emphasis on inclusion and a real push for a meaningful outcome was a crucial step in their fight for justice. It, however, must not stop there.

The United Nations has a history of failing to take human rights movements in Afghanistan seriously. This summer during the third installment of the Doha process, UN leaders met with the Taliban excluding Afghan women and civil society based on the demands of the Taliban. The Taliban only agreed to meet if human rights groups representing Afghan women and other marginalized communities in civil society were not present.

Despite this sacrifice, no substantial progress has come from the Taliban. In fact, the Taliban’s edicts have only become more extreme and the conditions are worsening for women and girls. With the recent morality law – or known as the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice – women’s voices cannot be heard and they must be covered from head to toe. Girls as young as 12 cannot attend school beyond the sixth grade. They are also prohibited from learning online – through TV and radio.

As Afghan women have been stressing all along, the fight for their equality is a hard and long road, and more concrete steps must be taken to address their oppression. Codifying Gender Apartheid and increasing humanitarian aid with a specific focus on women and girls are just two of the necessary actions. To remain silent, as Horia Mosadiq, an Afghan human rights defender, powerfully said, is to be complicit — it signifies a “soft recognition” of the Taliban’s regime.

The UN, countries guided by feminist and human rights principles, and particularly Islamic nations, must take more substantial steps to reverse the horrific human rights violations occurring in Afghanistan. These abuses must not be normalized, and the Taliban must be held accountable for exploiting Islam for personal and political gain.

Kentucky Bans Conversion Therapy for Minors

Posted on by Zuleima Noriega

Photo by Karollyne Videira Hubert

On September 18th, 2024, the governor of Kentucky, Andy Beshear, outlawed conversion therapy for minors in the state. Licensing boards can also take official action against anyone found practicing conversion therapy on minors. Beshear spoke about his decision saying the following: 

“Kentucky cannot possibly reach its full potential unless it is free from discrimination by or against any citizen – unless all our people feel welcome in our spaces, free from unjust barriers and supported to be themselves… Conversion therapy has no basis in medicine or science, and it can cause significant long-term harm to our kids, including increased rates of suicide and depression. This is about protecting our youth from an inhumane practice that hurts them.”

This is a tremendous step for the LGBTQ+ community, especially in Kentucky where attempts to ban conversion therapy repeatedly failed due to the Republican-controlled legislature. Beshear’s executive order challenges the barriers to equality. 

Conversion therapy poses a massive threat to LGBTQ+ communities everywhere and is essentially psychological torture. It is founded on the discriminatory belief that queer people need to be “fixed” or that they suffer from a mental disorder. The American College of Physicians and the American Physiciatric Association released research stating that minors subjected to conversion therapy show higher rates of anxiety, depression, loss of social support, and suicidal behaviors. They have twice the rate of suicide attempts in the past year than other members of their community who have not experienced the inhumane treatment. 

Currently, over 20 states prohibit it in the legislature, although no national ban exists. According to the Trevor Project, more than 1,300 practitioners still offer conversion therapy in the U.S. The Supreme Court had the opportunity to hear about the controversial treatment in 2023, but declined to do so. 

In opposition to many religious groups who commonly use their faith as justification for violent and reprehensible actions, Andy Beshear expressed “My faith teaches me that all children are children of God.” 

Some of Beshear’s other accomplishments include vetoing a bill that banned access to gender-affirming health care and restricted bathroom access, being the first standing Kentucky governor in history to participate in the Statewide Fairness Rally, and proclaimed June as Pride month for the first time in the Commonwealth, as reported by CBS News. 

After the ban was finalized he tweeted, “We’ve heard the voices of LGBTQ Kentuckians and we stand with them. Today I was proud to sign an executive order banning dangerous conversion “therapy” on our kids. No child, regardless of their sexuality, should be subjected to harm.”

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