Domestic violence has intensified under Taliban rule since August 2021, as the regime has imposed more than 160 edicts and directives restricting the rights and freedoms of women and girls. By barring women from education and employment, severely limiting their freedom of movement, and denying them meaningful access to justice, the Taliban has deepened women’s […]
Texas Mother Sues Anti-Abortion Extremists Under Law Targeting Abortion Pills
Last week, a Texas mother sued Kristan Hawkins, the president and founder of Students for Life of America, an anti-abortion organization, and three other staff members for breaking a law the group helped to establish. In March 2026, Hawkins posted an Instagram photo with two other staff members in front of the Space Center Houston […]
Election Day is Not the Only Day to Vote
October 24th is Vote Early Day, meant to encourage all eligible United States citizens to vote early and inform voters of their states’ early voting laws. Early voting offers many voters the convenience and flexibility that match the demands of modern life. It can be especially helpful for people with demanding work schedules, long commutes, […]
Beyond Indigenous Peoples Day: The Fight to Protect Indigenous Communities
The second Monday in October is federally recognized as Christopher Columbus Day, commemorating the arrival of colonizer Christopher Columbus to the Americas. It’s undeniable that Indigenous communities lived in America long before Columbus docked his ship. Why, then, is he celebrated as the man who “discovered” America? For years, public debate has challenged this Eurocentric […]
Women and Girls Severely Affected in Colombia’s 7.4 Earthquake
On August 10th, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia, with its epicenter near San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó. It was the strongest earthquake recorded in the country in a decade. The disaster damaged homes and essential infrastructure across multiple departments, displacing residents and disrupting access to health care and other […]
The Z Factor: Young Voters and the 2026 Midterms
Generation Z voters (aged 18-29) are predicted to make a significant impact on the upcoming 2026 Midterm elections. This has not always been the case, as student and youth voter turnout has historically remained low. Only 47% of Americans aged 18-29 voted in the 2024 election. This year, 50 million Gen Z Americans are eligible […]
California Takes Action to Address Housing Barriers for Survivors
More than one in three women and one in six men in the United States have experienced sexual violence, physical violence and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. For survivors trying to leave abusive relationships, finding safe, stable housing can be a major obstacle. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), first enacted in […]
JAWS Reception Celebrates Legacy of Women in Journalism
The Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) celebrated the legacy of women journalists at a reception on October 2 hosted at the Ms. office. The gathering brought together journalists, longtime JAWS members, and feminist advocates to recognize the women who helped shape media and discuss the importance of preserving their work for future generations. The reception […]
Mail-In Ballots are Safe, For Now
As early voting gets underway in many states, voters can continue to rely on existing mail-in voting procedures for the 2026 midterm elections. On September 14, the US Supreme Court declined to allow the Trump administration to implement new restrictions that would have given the USPS a greater role in determining which voters could receive […]
ICC Arrest Warrants Challenge the Normalization of Taliban Rule and Gender Persecution
On October 5, the International Criminal Court (ICC) unsealed arrest warrants for four senior Taliban officials. They include Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Education Minister Habibullah Agha, and Higher Education Minister Neda Mohammad Nadim. The warrants were issued in July 2025 but had remained sealed. The ICC says there are […]
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Has Ended, But the Need for Research Remains
September marked Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, but the need for greater research, better treatment, and improved early detection does not end when the month does. Ovarian cancer is expected to cause nearly 14,000 deaths in the US this year. Despite the burden of the disease, detecting ovarian cancer early remains a significant challenge. Ovarian cancer […]
The Cornell 57: How Educational Institutions Fail Women
Note: This article contains discussions of rape and sexual assault. If you or someone you have experienced sexual violence, help is available 24/7. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline or call 1-800-656-4673. On the night of October 19, 2024, a 20-year old Cornell University undergraduate student, identified as Jane Doe in court filings and media […]
New Poll Finds Voters Concerned about Rights and Democracy Ahead of 2026 Midterms
A new national poll from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights finds that voters are increasingly concerned about threats to their rights, democracy, and the 2026 elections. The 2026 Civil Rights Monitor found that 82% of voters are concerned that rights and freedoms are being taken away or rolled back, the highest level […]
Addressing the Economic Costs of Sexual Violence: The Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act
On September 15, 2026, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced the Survivors Rights Restitution Act. This legislation would establish a federal restitution program for survivors of sexual violence whose rights were violated by the federal government. The bill would include survivors of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein […]
Afghan Women Are Restricted, But They Cannot Be Silenced. They Continue to Be Agents of Change in Afghanistan.
Afghan women have been living under one of the most repressive systems in the world, as the Taliban continue to impose restrictive edicts – over 160 in total to date. These orders restrict their ability to work, attend school, move freely and even leave their homes without a male guardian. Yet despite the barriers the […]
2026 Midterm Elections: A Guide to Voting and Making an Informed Choice
With Election Day less than 40 days away, voters across the country are preparing to cast ballots in the 2026 midterm elections. On November 3, voters will decide congressional, state, and local races, and ballot measures in states across the country. With so many races and issues on the same ballot, it is crucial that […]
Get the Flock Out
On September 23rd, the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism held a hearing titled “Always Watching: Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network,” examining the privacy risks, data sharing, and misuse of private automated license plate reader (ALPR) networks. The hearing was chaired by Sen. Hawley (R-MO) and featured five witnesses, including Lindsey Isaacs, a wrongfully […]
Virginia Voters Will Decide the Future of Reproductive Freedom, Marriage Equality, and Voting Rights This November
On November 3rd, Virginia voters will decide on three proposed amendments to the state constitution concerning reproductive freedom, marriage, and voting rights. The amendments would add a constitutional right to reproductive freedom, remove Virginia’s constitutional prohibition on same-sex marriage and require equal treatment of marriages, and automatically restore voting rights to people convicted of felonies […]
Five Years Later, Girls in Afghanistan Are Still Waiting For School Doors To Open
For five years, girls above sixth grade have been barred from classrooms, making Afghanistan the only country in the world where girls are banned from secondary and higher education. The ban was initially said to be a temporary measure but has now defined half a decade of life for millions of Afghan girls. For them, […]
A Restraining Order Is Not Enough When an Abuser Has a Gun
October 1st marks the beginning of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a month dedicated to bringing attention to domestic violence and supporting efforts to prevent it. Domestic violence can include physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression. These forms of violence affect millions of Americans each year, with perpetrators often being current or former intimate […]