The United States and ten other countries have reached an agreement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, leaving environmentalists, human rights activists, women’s rights activists, doctors, and many others concerned.
Planned Parenthood President Testifies Before House Committee
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 […]
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.
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.
Planned Parenthood Clinic Blaze Ruled Arson As Legislative Attacks Continue
Physical attacks join legislative attacks; as a Planned Parenthood clinic blaze in Washington is ruled arson, Republicans in Congress call for a full defunding of the women’s health organization.
Afghan Women Awarded for Women’s Rights Advocacy
Ten women in Afghanistan were awarded the prestigious Medal of Malalai for their work promoting women’s rights.
Los Angeles Mayor Announces Model Gender Equity Directive
“Gender equity must permeate every level of City operations—as leaders, employers, and service providers,” the unparalleled directive reads.
Saudi Women Prepare to Vote for the First Time
Women in Saudi Arabia registered to vote over the weekend, preparing to participate for the first time in local elections this December.
Looking Back: My Experience as a Woman Studying Computer Science at Kabul University
Kabul University has more than 20,000 students from all over the country, all of whom had to pass a tough entrance exam. And I was one of them.
Research Shows Cost of Unsafe Abortions in Developing Countries
Up to 7 million women per year require treatment for complications from unsafe abortions in developing countries, new research shows.
Amnesty Votes on Policy to Decriminalize Sex Work, Sparks Feminist Debate
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women sent an open letter signed by over 400 groups and individuals to Amnesty International asking it to reconsider a policy to decriminalize sex work.
Mexican Court Convicts Five Men to 697 Years in Prison for Femicide
The ruling is being called a “megajuicio,” or mega-judgement, by the Mexican press.
Kenyan Groups Empowering Women Are Also Changing Their Communities
Thanks to three different women’s groups in Kenya, rural villages are prospering.
70 Organizations Are Urging the President to Fund Abortion Care Abroad
The Feminist Majority and over 70 other groups released a letter to President Obama yesterday that calls on him to reinterpret the Helms Amendment and meet with the people running women’s health programs in Africa on an upcoming trip to the continent.
Businesses in the UK Will Now Be Required to Report Differences in Earnings By Gender
United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron announced a measure last week aimed at making the gender pay gap much more visible.
Senate Blocks Global Gag Rule
A bipartisan majority in the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an amendment that repeals the anti-abortion “Global Gag Rule” and restores $600 million in funding for international family planning and reproductive health services. Republican Senator Mark Kirk (IL) and GOP Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined Senate Democrats in passing the amendment. The […]
President Assures There Will Be Justice for Farkhunda in Afghanistan Following Outcry by Women’s Rights Leaders
Leaders were outraged last week when the Appeals Court of Afghanistan reversed the death penalties issued in the murder case of Farkhunda, who was killed by an angry mob in March.
Michelle Obama Speaks Out About Girls’ Education Around the World
The First Lady delivered an inspiring speech promoting girls’ education earlier this month at London’s Mulberry School.
Women’s Rights Activists are Suing the Kenyan Government for Reproductive Rights
A woman in Kenya is suing the Kenyan government for failure to provide safe and legal abortions, which caused her daughter – a 15-year-old rape victim – to suffer a kidney failure after undergoing the procedure illegally.
Senate Narrowly Approves of Vote for Fast Tracking the TPP
The Senate voted this morning to advance consideration of trade promotion authority, also known as “fast track” authority, for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), barely getting the 60 votes necessary to continue the bill. The cloture vote, which was needed in order to proceed with a vote on fast track authority for the TPP, was narrowly […]