Egyptian Health Minister Ismail Sallam criticized Moslem fundamentalists for opposing Egypt’s ban on female circumcision. Sallam was routinely interrupted by Moslem extremists condemning the ban during a Cairo Book Fair. Sallam replied, “Growing a beard doesn’t give you the right to issue religious decrees. It’s the mufti’s prerogative and he said that female circumcision is […]
FBI, Justice Department to Convict U.S. Sexual Abusers in Latin America
Casa Alianza, a non-profit organization that works with street children in Latin America, will begin working with the FBI and the U.S. Justice Department to apprehend men and women who sexually abuse children in Central America. Bruce Harris, Regional Director of the Casa Alianza Programs for Latin America, stated “We have noticed a significant increase […]
Dogs Detect Bomb Material Traces in Clinic Bombing Investigation
Dogs trained to detect bomb materials are being used to investigate the Alabama clinic bombing and to track down the lead material witness, Eric Robert Rudolph. The dogs detected possible explosive residue in Rudolph’s truck, and responded to potential residue found in a small warehouse that was once rented by Rudolph. The FBI also believes […]
Divorced Women Face IRS Assaults
“The American tax system mistreats divorced women,” said Elizabeth Cockrell before a Senate Finance Committee hearing, designed to aid in the examination of current IRS procedures and laws. Committee chairman William V. Roth Jr. (R-Del) has suggested that innocent spouse “provisions” will be addressed. Four women delivered testimony claiming that they have all been pursued […]
Anti-Abortionists Deny IMF, UN Relief Funds
Anti-abortion militants are once again threatening to strike down attempts to supply an $18 billion relief package to the International Monetary Fund. Abortion opponents are demanding that the U.S. prohibit funding to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that perform abortions or encourage family planning in foreign countries. Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-Al) told Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin that […]
Teenager Works for “Girl Power”
The March issue of YM features 15-year-old Ariel Fox, owner of Sticker Sisters. Fox designs and sells magnets, buttons, shoelaces and stickers that feature feminist phrases focusing on “girl power,” domestic violence and sexual abuse. Sticker Sisters’ clients range from grandmothers to rock bands and can be found in eight countries and across the United […]
Brazil Grants Gays Inheritance Rights
Brazil’s Superior Tribunal of Justice ruled that Milton Alves Pedrosa has the right to inherit property he shared with his male partner, Jair Prearo, who passed away. Prearo’s father had disputed Pedrosa’s claim. Rep. Marta Suplicy said that the ruling will make it easier to pass legislation that would grant equal rights and benefits to […]
House Resolution Requires Benefits for Stay-at-Home Parents
A resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives requires that any new child care legislation include benefits for stay-at-home parents. Rep. Rosa DeLauor (D-Conn) commented, “I regret that this resolution has chosen to focus on one group of parents.” The resolution is a rebuttal to President Clinton’s $21.7 billion child care initiative which would […]
Senate Confirms Surgeon General Satcher
The U.S. Senate voted 63-35 to confirm Dr. David Satcher as Surgeon General. President Clinton commented, “No one is better qualified to be America’s doctor …. He is a mainstream physician who is an eloquent advocate for the health of all Americans.” Satcher’s nomination overcame strong resistance from conservatives led by Sen. John Ashcroft, who […]
Search for Clinic Bombing Witness Continues
Investigators continue their search for Eric Robert Rudolph, wanted in connection with the Alabama abortion clinic bombing that killed officer Robert Sanderson and seriously injured nurse Emily Lyons. A convoy of federal agents and law enforcement officers moved from Murphy, N.C., through back roads, to the Georgia-Tennessee border. Agents combed the mountains with special heat-sensor […]
U.S. Women Earn Gold, Victories in Olympics
The United States Women’s Hockey team beat rival Finland in a 4-2 victory. The team is tied with Canada, with six points in Olympic standings. Finland has four points, China has 2, and Sweden and Japan have zero. The top two teams will battle in a game for the gold medal immediately after the preliminary […]
Evidence Supports Victims in Army Sex Trial
Prosecutors submitted an audio tape of a February 1997 telephone conversation in which Sgt. Maj. Gene C. McKinney asked Staff Sgt. Christine Fetrow to deny that he had sexually harassed her and claim that “no inappropriateness at all,” had occurred between them. McKinney said, “All you have to do is tell them that we talked […]
Israeli Army Allows Women in Enemy Territory
The Israeli army will permit women to enter enemy territory during military missions. Female doctors will now be allowed into combat zones to evacuate and treat soldiers. The decision arises from an increase in women doctors in the army. Israeli Surgeon General Arial Dan stated, “It’s a totally natural development.” The Israeli Army allows women, […]
First of Fifty Testifies in Army Sex Trial
Former Staff Sgt. Christine Fetrow testified against Sgt. Maj. Gene C. McKinney in a sex harassment court-martial trial. Fetrow, the first woman enlisted in the Army’s elite Old Guard, became the first of 50 anticipated witnesses to testify against McKinney. McKinney, the Army’s former top-enlisted soldier, has been charged with 19 counts of harassment and […]
Netherlands Grants Adoption Rights for Same-Gender Couples
The Netherlands government announced that it will grant adoption rights to same-gender couples. A new legal partnership registry was recently put in place that allows same-gender couples to obtain marriage certificates. If a child is born after same-gender couples register as partners, the “non-biological partner” will automatically be recognized as an adoptive parent and lesbian […]
Minority Women Unsatisfied with Advancement Possibilities
A study released by Catalyst research group found that minority women in management are unsatisfied with their chances for promotion and approximately one in four plan to resign from their companies as a result. Researchers surveyed 1,700 minority women, including those with African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American backgrounds, more than half of whom had graduate degrees. […]
Washington Welfare Limits Struck Down
U.S. District Judge Franklin Burgess ruled against a state law that required people to reside in Washington for one year before collecting welfare benefits at state levels. “The law unfairly penalizes people who move here to escape from a battering spouse, to join family members or to pursue a job opportunity,” said Julya Hampton, an […]
ATF Finds Truck Seen at Clinic Bombing
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) have located the truck last seen leaving the site of the Alabama clinic bombing that killed police officer Robert Sanderson and seriously injured nurse Emily Lyons. The 1989 gray Nissan pickup truck was found in a wooded area outside Murphy, N.C. Authorities are still searching […]
Women’s Hockey Debuts in Olympics
The United States won, 5-0, over China in the long overdue first day of women’s Olympic hockey. “It’s not just a man’s game anymore …. We really feel like we’re out here paving the way for all the women behind us,” said U.S. team captain Cammi Granato, who scored two goals. The rink was packed […]
Feminist Psychologist Mary Roth Walsh Dies at 58
Feminist psychologist Mary Roth Walsh was found dead with her husband, Francis, in their Arlington, Massachusetts home. A neighbor had called police to check on the couple after she noticed the Walsh’s garage light left on, and mail piling up. The police entered the house and discovered the couple, both University of Massachusetts professors, dead […]