As we celebrate the beginning of 2024, many states are kicking off the new year with new laws going into effect, many focused on gender and abortion rights. There was a record-breaking number of anti-LGBTQ legislation introduced by Republican state legislators in 2023, with the American Civil Liberties Union recording at least 508 bills targeting […]
The Future of Abortion Access: Supreme Court Takes on Mifepristone Regulations
On Dec. 13th, the Supreme Court decided to take up the case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA, regarding mifepristone, a widely used abortion pill, and its accessibility. The issue centers around a lower court decision challenging recent FDA changes allowing telemedicine appointments and mail prescriptions for the drug. The Supreme Court will hear the […]
Taliban Imprisoning Women in the Name of Safety Raises Human Rights Concerns
In a UN report published today, the Taliban’s response to gender-based violence against women in Afghanistan has raised serious human rights concerns. Contrary to international standards, the Taliban now often referred to as the “de facto authorities” have reportedly resorted to imprisoning women as a means of protection, reflecting a divergence from established legal frameworks […]
‘100 Years, Not One More’: ERA Advocates Rally on Centennial Anniversary
Chants of “not one more year” filled downtown D.C. as equal rights activists marched from the White House to the Capitol on Dec. 13th — the 100 year anniversary of the ERA’s introduction in the House of Representatives. Activists, led by the ERA Coalition, demanded that not one more year pass without rights being protected […]
UN Security Council Voted to Extend the Mandate of the Monitoring Team While Opposing China’s Push for a Travel Exemption for Taliban Leaders
In a unanimous decision, the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the team monitoring sanctions against the Taliban and associates, reinforcing its commitment to Afghanistan’s peace, security, and stability. Resolution 2716 (2023), unanimously adopted by the 15-member body, directs the Monitoring Team to support the Committee, which designates sanctions on individuals, groups, undertakings, […]
New York to redraw congressional maps ahead of 2024 election
New York’s Court of Appeals has mandated that the state redraw its congressional district maps in preparation for the upcoming 2024 elections. This ruling introduces a crucial dimension to the political landscape, potentially favoring Democrats as they strategically aim to secure control of the U.S. House. The responsibility of crafting the new proposed maps falls […]
Feminism is for Men, Too
How community organizers are engaging men and boys in the fight for gender equality Around the world, advances in gender equality have reached a standstill. During the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders drastically increased incidents of intimate partner violence. The overturning of Roe v. Wade has emboldened anti-abortion movements both domestically and globally. Whether one looks […]
The UN climate summit raises concerns over the influence of the oil lobby and gender equity
Over the past two weeks, world leaders have been meeting in Dubai to discuss strategies to tackle climate change at the 28th annual UN climate summit (COP28). The aim of the conference is to reignite enthusiasm in achieving the goal of limiting global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the summit has not been […]
Texas woman sues the state for the right to an abortion
Source: Guttmacher Institute The Center for Reproductive Rights has been representing Kate Cox in an emergency lawsuit asking for a temporary restraining order on Texas abortion bans in order to terminate her pregnancy. The morning of December 7th, a judge granted their request to allow Cox access to the reproductive healthcare that she needs, without […]
Tuberville ends his blockade of military promotions
After almost ten months of blocking military promotions in protest of abortion access, Senator Tommy Tuberville has finally backed down. Tuberville’s blockade drew harsh criticism from both sides of the political aisle as over 400 military officers were prevented from receiving their promotions. Global threats, from Russia to the war in Israel and Palestine, continued […]
Abortion activists look to 2024 to continue their winning streak
Ohio college students organized for Issue 1 As Ohio became the 7th state in a row to protect reproductive rights, abortion activists are already gearing up for a significant challenge in 2024 – putting abortion rights on the ballot once again. Organizers are working in at least nine states to continue this momentum and enshrine […]
Honoring Rosalynn Carter: A Life Devoted to Equal Rights, Advocacy, and Service
Coretta Scott King, Rosalynn Carter, Betty Ford, and Lady Bird Johnson supporting the Equal Rights Amendment at the National Women’s Conference in 1977. Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter passed away on Sunday, leaving behind a transformative impact on mental health care reform as well as the continuing effort to pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). […]
Afghan Earthquake Survivors Struggle to Make it Through Winter
On October 7th, multiple earthquakes hit Afghanistan. Thousands of people were killed and injured and the survivors continue to grapple with hardships. Since then, survivors spend their days digging through rubble looking for the bodies of family members and digging mass graves for the thousands of victims. People are reeling from losing their entire families […]
Abortion Drives November Elections
Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash Early this morning, abortion rights supporters had plenty to celebrate. The results of this November’s elections could have lasting implications for conversations and policy around access to reproductive healthcare. The outcomes also suggest a transformed political landscape in the wake of SCOTUS overturning Roe v. Wade, even in states […]
ACLU Brings Legal Challenge to Tennessee’s Discriminatory Aggravated Prostitution Law
Image by succo from Pixabay The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed against the state of Tennessee in Memphis last week on behalf of four individuals who have been convicted of Aggravated Prostitution and required to register as “violent sex offenders” for their entire lives. The ACLU also filed on behalf of OUTMemphis, the state’s […]
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin purged 3,400 eligible voters from the state’s rolls
Photo by Janine Robinson on Unsplash In the days before the crucial General Assembly elections in Virginia, Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin’s administration admitted that it mistakenly removed nearly 3,400 qualified voters from the state’s database, a significant increase from their initial estimate of 270. This revelation comes just weeks before the November 7th elections, which […]
Afghan Refugees in Pakistan Face the Risk of Deportation and Human Rights Abuses
The spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed concern over Pakistan’s plan to deport undocumented Afghan refugees on November 1st. This will disproportionately affect more than a million Afghans who moved to Pakistan for safety. The plan for mass deportation was announced earlier this month, after which, 59,780 individuals left […]
Poll Reveals Majority of Americans Support Upholding the “Pledge” to Afghan Allies. Afghan Allies Remain in Limbo With Thousands Still Awaiting Evacuation.
A new poll conducted in early October by With Honor Action and Ipsos found that 89% of Americans said they support keeping our pledge to Afghans who helped U.S. forces against the Taliban, with 56% of Americans “strongly” supporting the claim. 92% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans agreed, demonstrating strong bipartisan support for our […]
Trailblazing feminist activist, Lois Galgay Reckitt, passes away at 79
Photo: legislature.maine.gov The Feminist Majority Foundation is saddened to hear of the passing of a dear friend and an inspiring feminist activist, Maine State Representative Lois Galgay Reckitt. Rep. Reckitt was known as a relentless activist on behalf of women and dedicated her life to fighting for equality. She served as the executive vice president […]
Afghan Women Oppose the Recognition of the Taliban. It Demonstrates the Deteriorating Conditions for Women in Afghanistan.
In a United Nations (UN) report released in September, UN Women, IOM and UNAMA interviewed 592 Afghan women from 22 of 34 provinces of Afghanistan. The study aimed at understanding priorities, views of international engagement, and recommendations to improve women’s rights and well-being. The findings illustrate just how untenable life in Afghanistan has become for […]
