Women’s groups in Zimbabwe protested an increase in violence against women who are deemed “indecent” due to their dress. The women marched the streets and handed out fliers relating to women’s rights and gender violence. Director of the Women’s Action Group (WAG) Selina Mumbengegwi said, “Women are victimized and not respected in their professions, and […]
Cote d’Ivoire National Assembly members are debating whether to pass a law banning female genital mutilation (FGM) or launch a campaign focused on educating the population on related health threats and human rights issues. Approximately 43 percent of Ivoirian women and girls have been circumcised, and doctors estimate that as much as 25 percent of […]
A Federal jury in Chicago, Illinois found that Operation Rescue, the Chicago-based Pro-Life Action League, the league’s executive director Joseph Scheidler, and activists Andrew Scholber and Timothy Murphy violated the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statute (RICO). National Women’s Health Organization (NWHO) President Susan Hill commented, “This is a tremendous victory for abortion providers […]
During talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban militia group leaders and the country’s other warring factions, U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson spoke of U.S. aid to rebuild Afghanistan’s “war-damaged infrastructure.” Richardson said the funding was dependent on possible peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan groups that control the remaining 15 percent of the country, and the restoration […]
Almost twice as many U.S. women entrepreneurs are starting their own businesses as are men, according to a survey of members of the Committee of 200, a national organization of women entrepreneurs. The survey was conducted by the National Foundation for Women Business Owners (NFWBO) and the results were reported at a conference of businesswomen […]
National leaders attending the second Summit of the Americas in Santiago, Chile agreed on a package in which the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) will provide $120 million over three years to small businesses. The funding will be distributed through micro-credit programs or through small loans which are given to entrepreneurs, most of whom […]
Civil rights leaders are urging the Clinton administration to appeal a U.S. Court of Appeals decision against the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) 30-year-old equal employment opportunity (EEO) policies. Civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and others met with the Justice Department’s acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Bill Lann Lee, to discuss an appeal. The […]
Georgetown University President Leo O’Donovan reversed his decision to replace Judith Areen, the first woman to head a national law school. Amid protests from students, faculty, alumni and distinguished board members, including Clinton attorney Robert S. Bennett, Donovan announced that he would renew Areen’s contract for five more years. Areen has served as Law Center […]
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state anti-stalking laws, refusing to hear appeals of two men convicted for stalking. In Parker vs. Virginia, Michael Parker was convicted of making threatening phone calls to a woman from jail. The Virginia Court of Appeals upheld his conviction and said that his conviction did not stem exclusively from the […]
Linda McCartney, wife of former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, died Friday morning after a three year battle with breast cancer. McCartney, 56, worked as a photographer, a musician, started her own line of vegetarian foods, and was an ardent animal rights activist. McCartney’s husband said people wanting to send condolences should consider adopting a vegetarian […]
Closing arguments were delivered in the NOW vs. Schiedler lawsuit, in which the National Organization for Women (NOW) is suing extremist anti-abortion groups for violating federal racketeering laws. NOW attorney Fay Clayton said, “When they prey on a woman’s fears to make her give up her rights, that’s extortion. … Return a verdict for all […]
U.N. Ambassador Bill Richardson said he “made progress on women’s education and health care,” during talks with Afghanistan’s Taliban militia group officials, but would not elaborate according to an AP news report. Since the Taliban gained control of the country in 1996 they have initiated decrees forbidding girls from obtaining education and requiring women to […]
Kathy’s Group, a non-profit organization that offers free counseling to lesbian breast cancer victims, their partners and families, is protesting an IRS decision denying them tax-exempt status. The IRS told Kathy’s Group members that it had to provide services to all women to be considered for tax-exempt status. Although the group does not pay taxes […]
Two brothers, ages 14 and 15, who are charged with killing their father in Hector, Arkansas, threatened to replicate the Jonesboro, Arkansas shooting massacre at their own school. Jesse Ethan Eldridge and James Neal Eldridge, who allegedly shot their father after a reprimand for smoking, threatened to pull the fire alarm and shoot their female […]
The number of women over 60 in the world will double to 645 million by the year 2025, according to a new study by the U.S. Census Bureau. The study, “Gender and Aging: Demographic Dimensions,” reported that almost 75 percent of those women will be living in developed nations. “Older women are more likely to […]
A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study of 36 of the world’s richest nations revealed that the U.S. has the highest rate of gun fatalities. The study was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. The U.S. had 14.24 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people in 1994. This number includes all murders, suicides, and accidents […]
Linda Greenhouse, Michiko Kakutani, and member of the New York Times staff won Pulitzer Prizes for their reporting. Greenhouse’s Prize was granted for her coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court. Kakutani won in the “criticism” category for her reviews of books and other contemporary writings. A Pulitzer was awarded to the Times staff in recognition […]
The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) is holding a demonstration to protest Eric Clapton and Reprise Records at Washington, D.C’s MCI Center today. NNEDV executive director Donna F. Edwards said, “In his new release, ‘Sick and Tired’ on the Reprise Record label, Eric Clapton advocates violence against women just to sell a song. […]
Almost one-third of American women who obtain annual breast cancer checks for a decade will receive at least one false alarm, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Among women who receive only X-ray mammograms, rather than mammograms and physical exams, up to one-half may receive “false positives.” The […]
The sixth annual Ms. Foundation for Women’s Take Our Daughters to Work Day will take place on April 23, 1998. In 1997, around 48.3 million people reported that either their company spouse’s participated in the day, designed to help girls aged 9 to 15 “learn about what their futures can hold.” Ms. Foundation President Marie […]
