Purvi Patel sought help at an emergency room. After investigation, police charged Patel with feticide, punishable with up to 20 years in prison, as well as neglect of a dependent.
More Investment in Women’s Health Needed as Africa’s Population Rises
Africa’s population could reach four billion by 2100. As the population grows, more investment in maternal health and family planning resources will be needed to ensure women’s health.
In Liberia, The Ebola Outbreak is Also a Maternal Health Issue
Although the death toll from the virus itself is astounding, many people – including pregnant mothers – are also dying as hospitals and clinics shut their doors.
New Federal Guidelines Align with Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission updated its pregnancy discrimination guidelines this week for the first time in over 30 years.
Tennessee Mom Arrested Under New Pregnancy Outcome Law
The new mother was arrested and charged with simple assault just two days after giving birth.
Supreme Court Will Hear Pregnancy Discrimination Case
The US Supreme Court will decide next term whether the Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) requires an employer to provide workplace accommodations to pregnant employees if that employer also provides comparable accommodations to non-pregnant employees who become temporarily unable to perform their jobs without the accommodation.
Stop The Madness: On Treating Women Prisoners With Dignity
Women in prison are still people – and they shouldn’t have to endure shackling during childbirth and forced sterilization just because they committed a crime.
Louisiana Legislature Passes Bill to Keeping Pregnant Women on Life Support Against Wishes
HB 1274 requires physicians to to keep brain-dead women who are at least 20 weeks pregnant on mechanical support if there is a chance the fetus is viable.
Reports Reveal Decrease in Maternal Mortality and Need for Faster Progress
Two new reports by United Nations agencies revealed that although there has been significant progress in reducing maternal mortality worldwide over the last decade, much more can be done to protect women’s lives.
Tennessee Governor Signs Bill Allowing Criminalization of Pregnant Women
SB 1391 would permit women to be charged with assault – theoretically up to the point of aggravated assault, which incurs a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison – if they have pregnancy complications after using illegal drugs or deliver children with “neonatal abstinence syndrome.”
Florida Governor Expected to Sign Fetal Homicide Bill
States have used fetal homicide laws, like the one is Florida, to criminalize pregnant women or poor pregnancy outcomes.
Florida Supreme Court Recognizes Anti-Discrimination Protections for Pregnant Workers
The 6-1 decision allows Peguy Delva to proceed with her lawsuit against her employer, real estate developer Continental Group.
Tennessee Legislature Approves Measure Criminalizing Pregnant Women
The Tennessee state legislature passed SB 1391 Wednesday, a bill that allows women who suffer from drug-related pregnancy complications to be charged with assault and potentially imprisoned.
Women’s Rights Groups Pressure Walmart to Improve Pregnant Worker Policies
Walmart has updated its worker accommodation policy, but advocates say that the new policy may still allow discrimination against pregnant workers.
Breastfeeding Woman Pushed To Resign Will Not Get Discrimination Trial
Despite the Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978’s bar on discrimination toward pregnant employees, many American women are forced out of their jobs or denied accommodations that would allow them to continue working once they become pregnant.
Massachusetts Governor Issues Emergency Regulations Banning Shackling of Pregnant Inmates
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed emergency regulations last week banning the shackling of incarcerated pregnant women.
Brain-Dead Pregnant Woman Kept Alive Against Her Wishes
A 2012 report by the Center for Women Policy Studies found that Texas is one of 12 US states that invalidate a woman’s end-of-life wishes if she is pregnant.
ACLU Sues On Behalf of Pregnant Worker Forced Out of Job
“It’s unfair to make me choose between earning a living and protecting my health and the health of my baby when I could still perform my job without doing any heavy lifting.”
ACLU Files Lawsuit For Pregnant Woman Denied Care at Catholic Hospital
“They never offered me any options,” said Means. “They didn’t tell me what was happening to my body. Whatever was going on with me, they discussed it amongst themselves. I was just left to wonder, what’s going to happen to me?”
New York Women Rally for Pregnancy Discrimination Protections
Currently only a handful of states provide protections for pregnant workers.
