Today, Russia’s human rights commissioner Tatyana Moskalkova admitted that she regrets Russia’s decision to decriminalize domestic abuse last year and called for new laws to protect women and children from domestic violence. Moskalkova stated today that she “believes that decriminalization was a mistake and we need to adopt a law to combat domestic abuse.” She […]
UN Report Finds Majority of Female Homicide Victims are Killed by Partners or Family
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime released a report this week that found that more than half of all female homicides were caused by intimate partners or relatives, depicting the home as one of the most dangerous places for women. The report also found that legal efforts to decrease these homicides and protect […]
Puerto Rican Police Pepper Spray Puerto Ricans Protesting Violence Against Women
On Friday, Colectiva Feminista en Construcción, in collaboration with other Puerto Rican Feminist groups, organized a sit-in (un plantón) in front of La Fortaleza, Governor Ricardo Rosselló’s residence, to protest the killing of a woman by her husband, a police officer. During the protests, the Puerto Rican police peppered sprayed the protestors and videos surfaced […]
Harsh Anti-Abortion Laws in El Salvador Criminalize Survivors
On Monday, a criminal trial against Imelda Cortez, a 20-year-old woman charged with attempted murder after she gave birth to her abuser’s baby in El Salvador, began. Cortez has been in custody since April 2017 and may face up to 20 years in jail because doctors believe she attempted an abortion. The court ruling is […]
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Protests against Kavanaugh Continue in the Wake of Sexual Assault Allegations
Capitol Police arrested fifty-six people yesterday on Capitol Hill during a protest against Supreme Court Nominee and alleged abuser, Brett Kavanaugh.
2016 International AIDS Conference Focuses on Access to Treatment
South Africa is hosting the 2016 International AIDS Conference this week, bringing together policy makers, healthcare professionals and persons living with HIV to evaluate the current state of the pandemic and plot a course for moving forward.
Federal Court Rejects Title IX Claim Made By Columbia Student Accused of Sexual Assault
A federal district court judge dismissed a lawsuit on Friday from a former Columbia University student who claimed that the university had violated Title IX by failing to protect him after one of his accusers, Emma Sulkowicz, publicly protested the university’s failure to find him responsible for sexual misconduct.
FMF Joins the Global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
In the United States, women’s groups join in the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Afghan Women Launch 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Afghanistan marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and begun participating in the worldwide 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Update: Deputy Fields Has Been Fired
Update: The officer who violently attacked a female student at Spring Valley High School in South Carolina has been fired, his boss reports.
Outrage Over Footage of Officer Assaulting Black Student in South Carolina High School
An outpouring of national outrage has followed footage of Deputy Ben Fields attacking a female student at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina for allegedly refusing to leave her the classroom.
World Leaders Commit to Ending Gender Discrimination at UN Summit
On the 20th anniversary of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, leaders from around the globe met with the UN to discuss concrete and measurable plans for eliminating discrimination against women.
Lawmakers Pledge $80 Million to Eliminate Rape Kit Backlogs Nationwide
Joe Biden announces million dollar plan to clear the massive national rape kit backlog.
“Yes Means Yes” Sex Education Could Spread to California High Schools
Rather than depending on the popular mantra “no means no,” consent under this legislation requires an “affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.”
Los Angeles Mayor Announces Model Gender Equity Directive
“Gender equity must permeate every level of City operations—as leaders, employers, and service providers,” the unparalleled directive reads.
Fraternity Signs Promote Rape Culture, Elicit Outrage
The signs, which ask for first-year women- and their moms- to be dropped off at an ODU fraternity “for a good time,” have elicited outrage and a promise of disciplinary action from the University.
Amnesty Votes on Policy to Decriminalize Sex Work, Sparks Feminist Debate
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women sent an open letter signed by over 400 groups and individuals to Amnesty International asking it to reconsider a policy to decriminalize sex work.
Texas Woman Files Complaint After Officer Forcibly Searches her Vagina
“I feel like they sexually assaulted me! I really do,” Charnesia Corley said about a forced body-cavity search following a traffic stop in which a Texas deputy claimed he smelled marijuana.
UN Expert Calls for Action To End Violence Against Women in Afghanistan
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo returned last week from a nine-day official visit in Afghanistan with a call to the Afghan Government and the international community to continue its focus on creating sustainable solutions to reduce violence against women. This was Manjoo’s third visit to Afghanistan, and the Special Rapporteur noted many positive developments since her […]
NFL and Black Women’s Roundtable Finally Meet to Tackle Domestic Violence
National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell finally met with members of the Black Women’s Roundtable last week after failing to invite any women of color to weigh in on the League’s initial plan of action on domestic violence.