On Tuesday President Clinton waived congressionally-imposed restrictions on federal funds going to organizations abroad that perform abortions or lobby for less restrictive abortion laws. The restrictions-passed by Congress and agreed to by the White House as part of a deal to release funds for back payments to the United Nations-restored a Reagan era policy that […]
Nearly 40,000 protestors have gathered in Seattle to demonstrate against the World Trade Organization. Some of the demonstrations turned violent Tuesday as police used tear gas and rubber bullets to try to clear the area around the Convention Center. Protestors charged that the WTO has refused to address the issue of labor rights, among other […]
The New York State Clinic Access and Anti-Stalking Act of 1999 will take effect on December 1. The new law institutes penalties for those who stalk abortion providers or block clinic entrances. The state law departs from federal law in that it grants local police and prosecutors the power to file charges against offenders. Under […]
The Florida chapter of the National Organization for Women is seeking an injunction to stop the state of Florida from producing its “Choose Life” license plates, which feature a crayon drawing of two children. NOW is arguing that the “Choose Life” design is inappropriate for use by Florida’s state government because it represents “a religious […]
McGregor Scott, District Attorney for California’s Shasta County, has announced his intention to seek the death penalty for two brothers accused of murdering a gay couple. Scott explained his decision, commenting that a “significant amount of planning” preceded the two murders. Brothers Benjamin Matthew Williams, 31, and James Tyler Williams, 29 are accused of plotting […]
A caucus of women’s groups has plans to lobby the World Trade Organization on how sexual inequality affects women’s ability to participate fully in the global economy at a WTO gathering in Seattle next week. Maria Riley of the Washington-based Center of Concern’s global women’s project explained, “We want the World Trade Organization to recognize […]
Police are unjustly arresting women under current enforcement of mandatory arrest laws. According to experts, recent increases in the number of women arrested for domestic assault have occurred because of police empathy for batterers and “over-routinization” in the enforcement of these laws that initially were enacted to increase the arrest and prosecution of domestic violence […]
Pakistani authorities forced about three hundred fleeing Afghans, including women and children, to return to Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban’s brutal treatment of women under gender apartheid, widespread ethnic cleansing, and continued fighting, Pakistani authorities claimed that there is “peace” in Afghanistan and no reason for refugees to flee. The United Nations called Afghanistan one of […]
Just the Facts Coalition, a group representing the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Education Association, the American Psychological Association and seven other groups, is sending a 12-page booklet to 14,700 school superintendents across the United States. The booklet illustrates that there is “no support among health and mental health professional organizations” for the myth […]
Kuwait’s Parliament voted down women’s right to vote and run for office 41-22 as an act of protest against the emir Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah who issued the decree shortly after he dissolved Parliament in May. Five liberal lawmakers in the newly elected Parliament, comprised of 50 members, have proposed almost identical legislation […]
In a surprising move, on Friday the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit recalled for reconsideration the cases challenging Illinois’ and Wisconsin’s “partial birth abortion” statutes. The recall order means the statutes that ban a rare procedure that abortion opponents call “partial birth” will not go into effect yet. The full 7th Circuit […]
The Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), based in Pakistan, called on the United Nations to stop the flow of arms into Afghanistan in order to bring peace to the country. In order to end the fighting in Afghanistan, according to RAWA, “The UN must first and foremost impose strict and serious sanctions […]
Researchers in Glasgow, Scotland reported that doctors and healthcare professionals have a “general lack of awareness” about the specific needs of lesbians and bisexual women in the British Journal of Family Planning for the month of October. Dr. Susan V. Carr and associates from other clinics created the Glasgow Lesbian Health Service in 1995 after […]
The Canadian government settled a pay equity suit in late October awarding $2.3 billion to 230,000 past and present federal workers, predominantly women. The decision conforms to Canada’s 1972 Human Rights Act that guarantees “equal pay for work of equal value.” Using the criteria of education, responsibility, mental demands and working conditions, government workers and […]
A UN official announced Thursday that in order to check population growth Arab countries must address women’s rights because patriarchal traditions block women’s access to education and health care. “An educated woman who has equal rights and plays her rightful role in society will automatically chose a smaller family and a better quality of life,” […]
The company operating train service in the Channel tunnel between England and France revoked its “skirts only” policy for women employees. “The women don’t have to wear skirts anymore because a survey showed most wanted the choice,” said a company spokesman. The union advocating the change hailed the decision as “a victory for women and […]
A circuit judge in Cole County, Missouri upheld a law that restricts state funding of family planning agencies affiliated with abortion providers. County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder ruled that Missouri lawmakers were within legal bounds when they imposed such budget restrictions. As a result, Kinder ordered that Planned Parenthood must return the state funds it […]
U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno delivered the keynote address Tuesday to the inaugural meeting of international female justice ministers. Attending conference were female justices from Gambia, Hungary, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Eritrea, Canada, Costa Rica and Iceland, the deputy justice minister from Ukraine and the former justice ministers from Bolivia, Latvia and Ivory Coast. Reno implored the […]
Jeanie Mentavlos settled her sexual harassment lawsuit yesterday filed against the Citadel, a staff member, and two former cadets for up to $135,000 according to her lawyer, Dick Harpootlian. The military academy paid $100,000 to settle her lawsuit against it and a staff member. Mentavlos also settled with former cadet Eric Amhaus for $35,000 but […]
The number of men in college is on a decline that is expected to continue for the next ten years. In 1970, women constituted less than 45 percent of college students, but by 1983 women had gained parity with men. U.S. Department of Education researchers predict that by 2008 men will comprise only 42 percent […]
