United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo returned last week from a nine-day official visit in Afghanistan with a call to the Afghan Government and the international community to continue its focus on creating sustainable solutions to reduce violence against women. This was Manjoo’s third visit to Afghanistan, and the Special Rapporteur noted many positive developments since her […]
Fifth Circuit Court Refuses to Reconsider Ruling Blocking Mississippi TRAP Law
The full US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Thursday refused to reconsider a panel decision blocking enforcement of a Mississippi law that threatened to close the last remaining abortion clinic in the state.
Oklahoma City Police Officer Will Go to Trial for 36 Counts of Sexual Assault
After a two-day preliminary hearing, an Oklahoma state court judge ordered that Daniel Holtzclaw, an Oklahoma City police officer, will stand trial for sexually assaulting 13 African-American women while on duty.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Affordable Care Act Birth Control Benefit
In a victory for women’s health, a unanimous panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on Friday rejected a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contraceptive coverage benefit brought by Priests for Life, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington and other religiously affiliated non-profit organizations.
Transgender Day of Remembrance Raises Awareness About the Dangers of Transphobia
Today marks the 15th annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance, a memorial for all transgender (and other non-gender-conforming people) who have lost their lives due to hatred and violence toward their identity.
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Federal Appeals Court Rejects Priests for Life Challenge to Birth Control Coverage Rule
In a victory for women’s health, a unanimous panel of the US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on Friday rejected a challenge to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) contraceptive coverage benefit brought by Priests for Life, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington and other religiously affiliated non-profit organizations. Judge Nina Pillard, a former […]
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Oklahoma City Police Officer Charged With 36 Counts of Sexual Assault Will Go to Trial
After a two-day preliminary hearing, an Oklahoma state court judge ordered that Daniel Holtzclaw, an Oklahoma City police officer, will stand trial for sexually assaulting 13 African-American women while on duty. Holtzclaw is charged with 36 counts of sexual assault, including six counts of first-degree rape, and multiple counts of forcible oral sodomy, sexual battery, […]
Ms. Wonder Awards Honor Young Grassroots Leaders in Anti-Violence and Fair Wage Movements
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room with so much personal history, and so much future,” Gloria Steinem said.
“1 In 3 Campaign” Will Hold Its First-Ever Online Speakout This Week
The 1 in 3 Campaign, a project of Advocates for Youth that highlights the stories of women who have had abortions, will host its first-ever online “speakout” event this Thursday.
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Today in Herstory: Suffragist Alice Paul Kept in Hospital During Hunger Strike
November 18, 1917: Suffragist Alice Paul has finally been transferred out of the psychopathic ward of Washington, D.C.’s District Jail, and today succeeded in smuggling a note out of the hospital ward where she is now being kept during her hunger strike and force-feedings.
Sexual Assault Awareness Events Will Place Throughout the Country This Week
“It’s On Us” launched a nationwide Week of Action yesterday, with students at campuses throughout the country hosting events calling on everyone to play a role in ending campus sexual violence.
Afghan Women’s Rights Leader and Parlimentarian Survives Suicide Bombing Attack
Afghan law maker and prominent women’s rights leader Shukria Barakzai survived a suicide bombing attack on her armed vehicle on Sunday, November 16. Three people were killed and more than 20 wounded in the attack, which took place several hundred feet from the Parliament building where Barakzai was headed.
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Today in Herstory: Public Support for “Silent Sentinels” On the Rise
November 17, 1917: Public support for the imprisoned “Silent Sentinel” suffragists is increasing now that newspapers have begun to print excerpts from a note written by Lucy Burns and smuggled out of Occoquan Workhouse. The lawyer for several of the women in Occoquan was also able to visit them yesterday and is still talking to the press about what he observed and was told there.
NFL and Black Women’s Roundtable Finally Meet to Tackle Domestic Violence
National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell finally met with members of the Black Women’s Roundtable last week after failing to invite any women of color to weigh in on the League’s initial plan of action on domestic violence.
TIME Apologizes for Including “Feminist” in Poll of Words to Ban
The apology came after several activist organizations petitioned TIME to remove the word “feminist” from its poll and to apologize. Feminist Majority Foundation supporters sent 9,833 petition emails total since the beginning of the petition.
UN Committee Reviews US on Police Brutality and Gender-Based Violence
Police brutality, military sexual assault, and gender-based violence in the US came under scrutiny this week.
TIME Magazine Faces Backlash for Attempting to Ban the Word “Feminist”
Time Magazine is facing backlash after a poll they released last week listing the work “feminist” alongside popular slang terms on a list of words that should be “banned” in 2015.
Fifth Circuit Court Refuses to Hear Challenge to Affirmative Action at University of Texas
In a brief order issued on Wednesday, the Fifth Circuit indicated that the decision to refuse rehearing was 10-5.
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Today in Herstory: Police Arrest Silent Sentinels After a Riot in the Nation’s Capital
November 13, 1917: Today, “Silent Sentinels,” who are picketing President Wilson over his failure to support nationwide woman suffrage, first battled a hostile mob, and then were arrested by police – who chose not to arrest any of their attackers.
Maternal Death Rate in West Africa Expected to Rise Due to Ebola
One in seven women could die during childbirth in the West African countries most impacted by the Ebola crisis.