Today, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Rep. Suzanna Bonamici (D-OR) introduced legislation called the Stop Deceptive Advertising for Women’s Healthcare Services Act to combat fake pregnancy centers and false advertisement of reproductive and family planning services. “No one should have to question that the person they are seeking medical advice from is actually a doctor […]
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Maine House Passes Bill to use State Funds on Abortion Services
Yesterday, Maine House passed a bill to use state funds to cover abortion services and if the bill becomes law, then Maine will be the 16th state to allow public funds on abortions. In a 79-63 party line vote, bill L.D. 820 passed the Maine House and will now be debated on in the Senate […]
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Georgia Passes Strict Anti-Abortion Law
Today, Governor Kemp of Georgia signed into law the controversial “Living Infants Fairness and Equality (LIFE) Act, which bans all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. A fetal heartbeat can usually be detected around 6 weeks into pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant. This is one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws […]
U.S. House Holds First ERA Hearing in Over Three Decades
Last week, high profile women’s rights advocates and feminists gathered in Washington, D.C. for the first Congressional hearing on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in over three decades. The ERA is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would specifically ban discrimination on the basis of sex.
Belgium Convicts Man for Sexism
For the first time, a man in Belgium was convicted of sexism and faces a $3,724 fine for breaking a Belgian law that criminalizes sexism in public places. The law was introduced in 2014 and defines sexism as remarks that diminish “someone to his or her sexual dimension” and “express contempt.” The Belgian man told […]
Alabama Seeks to Outlaw Abortions and Criminalize Doctors
This week, the Alabama state house passed the most restrictive anti-abortion bill in the nation that bans abortion, even in cases of rape and/or incest, unless the woman’s life is in danger, and makes performing an abortion a felony. Doctors that do perform abortions can be sentenced to up to 99 years in prison. It […]
Women Call for Peace amid their Absence in the Peace Talks
Almost 3200 delegates gathered in Kabul from across Afghanistan this week to discuss peace in Afghanistan; nearly 30% of the participants in the grand assembly meeting were women. Women headed 13 committees of the total 51 committees and 28 were elected as committee secretaries. Despite some opposition and pushback from some conservative men, women continued […]
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Court Rules Female Athletes Must Suppress Testosterone Levels to Compete
Today, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled to uphold a controversial International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) rule that restricts testosterone levels in runners, specifically female runners, through the use of testosterone suppressing medication. The court ruled that the rule is discriminatory, but “such discrimination is a necessary, reasonable, and proportionate means of […]
UN Passes Anti-War Rape Resolution Despite US Opposition
On Tuesday, the United Nations amended resolution aimed at ending sexual violence in war passed 13-0, with Russia and China abstaining. This was after the United States threatened to use their veto power to demand that all references to sexual and reproductive health be cut out. The Trump administration called for this change because they claim the resolution “implies support for abortion.”
Afghan Women Demand Ceasefire
Hundreds of Afghan women marched throughout the capital city of Kabul on Thursday, demanding a ceasefire from all parties involved in the ongoing conflict with the Taliban.
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Tarana Burke Discusses Intersectional Issues of the Me Too Movement at Time 100 Summit
Tarana Burke, the founder of the Me Too Movement, spoke as a part of this year’s inaugural Time 100 Most Influential People Summit on Tuesday. Included in her speech Burke pointed out the need for more conversations about the untold stories of minority women, and the inclusion of survivors of all genders. In her reflection, […]
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Brandeis Offers Plan B via Vending Machine On-Campus
A student-run activism club, Brandeis Pro-Choice, has installed a vending machine on campus that contains Plan B. The vending machine also includes menstrual products, condoms, and other health products and will be accessible 24/7. Brandeis Pro-Choice, in a statement, wrote, “Without access to emergency contraception on nights and weekends, Brandeis students are left without the […]
Supreme Court Will Hear Cases on LGBTQ+ Rights in the Workplace
The Supreme Court announced yesterday that they have agreed to hear a group of high profile cases regarding the rights of gay and transgender individuals in the workplace. These cases are aimed to determine if existing federal laws banning sex-based discrimination applies to cases of sexual orientation or gender identity. In particular, the case will […]
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Armed Militia Leader Detaining Migrants Arrested by FBI
On Saturday, the FBI arrested the leader of the United Constitutional Patriots, an armed militia that illegally hunts and detains hundreds of undocumented migrants seeking asylum at the border. Larry Mitchel Hopkins, the leader of the militia, was arrested in New Mexico on charges of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. New […]
India Congress Spokesperson Quits Over Male Inappropriate Conduct
Priyanka Chaturvedi, the Congressional Spokesperson for India’s UPCC Party, has resigned from her position. Chaturvedi stated in a message on Twitter that this was a result of misbehavior by workers as well as a lack of regard for her within the party ranks. The UPCC Party recently reinstated multiple workers who Chaturvedi claims “misbehaved” toward […]
Saudi Women Continue Finding Ways to Flee Violence
Once again the world is hearing reports of two women fleeing their home of Saudi Arabia, shedding light on the status of women in the country. The two sisters, Wafa and Maha al-Subaie, have fled Saudi Arabia to seek asylum in the country of Georgia. Saudi Arabian citizens do not need entry visas for Georgia, […]
Court Rules TikTok Video App No Longer Permitted in India
The TikTok App has been removed from Indian Google and Apple Stores this week, as a result of a state court ruling. The app was determined to be exposing children to inappropriate content. The Indian Supreme Court Tuesday allowed for the lower court ruling on blocking Tik Tok downloads to stand. The state court of […]
Bangladeshi Teenage Girl Burned to Death After Reporting Sexual Harassment
Nusrat Jahan Rafi, a 19-year-old girl who reported her headmaster for sexual harassment, died on April 10 after being set on fire at school. Nusrat’s death has resulted in protests and outrage on social media. Since her death, police have arrested 15 people, including seven individuals who were allegedly involved in the murder. “None of […]
Afghan Women and Government Delegation Aim to Participate in US-Taliban Peace Talks
The President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, confirmed that a delegation representing the Afghan government and people will be going to Doha to meet with the Taliban representatives on April 20th. The 250 member delegation includes 52 women. The Taliban has yet to respond to this development.
Congress to Reintroduce Women’s Health Protection Act
On Tuesday, the Act for Women Campaign alongside Planned Parenthood, National Network of Abortion Funds, and Center of Reproductive Rights, held a briefing on two bills that aim to protect the constitutional and reproductive rights of women nationwide. The Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) protects abortion services against medically unnecessary restrictions, and the Equal Access […]