Purvi Patel, the woman whose 20 year feticide conviction for self-inducing an abortion was recently overturned by the Indiana Court of Appeals, was released from jail this morning.
California Works to Close Rape Law Loophole
This week the California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would establish a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison for anyone convicted of raping an unconscious person.
North Carolina is Still Trying to Suppress Voting
In the wake of July’s federal appeals court ruling overturning the majority of North Carolina’s 2013 election laws, the state’s 100 local election boards, all comprised of one Democrat and two Republicans, have had to file their own respective election rules with the state, and critics are calling them equally as egregious as the original laws.
Celebrating the Legacy of Thurgood Marshall
Today marks the 49th anniversary of Thurgood Marshall’s 1967 confirmation as the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
Small Victory in Fight Against North Carolina’s Bathroom Bill
Last week federal judge Thomas Schroeder blocked the University of North Carolina from enforcing the state’s HB 2 law’s transgender bathroom restriction only in the cases of the three plaintiffs, two students at UNC and a North Carolina Central University law professor.
Another Light Sentence for a White Male Athlete Who Raped Two Classmates
Another judge has handed down a light sentence to a young man charged with two counts of rape and one count of indecent battery and assault after raping two of his high school classmates.
Today is the 96th Anniversary of the Adoption of the 19th Amendment
Today is Women’s Equality Day, the 96th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th amendment into the Constitution, outlawing voter discrimination on the basis of sex.
Burkini Ban Suspended by a Top French Court
A top French court today suspended the controversial burkini ban in a test case brought by a human rights group against a small beach town near Nice.
Update on American University of Afghanistan Attack
On Wednesday armed militants stormed the grounds housing the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, killing at least 14 people and wounding more than 35 others during the ten hour long siege.
California Assembly Passes Bill to Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Felony Sex Crimes
The California Assembly unanimously passed a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.
Attack Underway at American University of Afghanistan
The American University of Afghanistan in Kabul is currently under attack, reportedly by the Taliban.
Stanford’s Ban on Hard Alcohol Sends the Wrong Message About Sexual Assault
This past Monday, Stanford University banned hard alcohol from undergraduate parties and residences in the wake of the national outrage following the Brock Turner sexual assault case.
Texas Maternal Death Rate Doubles in Wake of Family Planning Funding Cuts
Maternal mortality rates in Texas almost doubled between 2010 and 2012, according to a new study by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Anti-Abortion Laws Permanently Blocked in Florida
Last week a Florida district court judge issued a permanent block on two provisions that would have prohibited Planned Parenthood from receiving state or local funding, and would have forced all women’s health organizations that offer abortion services to undergo annual clinic inspections.
American Women Dominate the Olympic Games, Huge Success of Title IX
American women are taking home 61 medals from Rio, with another 55 going to the men and five awarded in mixed events.
Department of Justice to End Privately Run Federal Prisons
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced last week that it will end the use of private prisons to house federal inmates, following the inspector general’s report that private facilities are significantly less safe and more costly than Bureau of Prison (BOP) run institutions.
Obama Administration and States in Contention over Transgender Rights
Last night, a federal judge in Texas blocked the Obama administration from enforcing guidelines that extended protections under Title IX to transgender students in public schools.
Afghan Women are Paving the Way for Future Athletes
This week, Afghanistan’s Kimia Yusufi competed against the best of the best in the 100-meter track heat at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was one of three athletes, and the only woman, representing Afghanistan in Rio.
Sex Testing for Female Athletes Might Become a Thing of the Past
For the first time in over 50 years, women competing in the Olympics have not been subject to sex-testing, a shocking practice that has for years allowed sports governing organizations to police the gender and sex of women athletes, sometimes with devastating consequences.
Chicago Passes Paid Sick Leave Ordinance
Chicago has passed an ordinance requiring that all employers whose business is located within the city limits or who has licensing agreements with the city provide their employees with paid sick leave.