Women's Rights

Global Health and Policy Experts Unite in Message to USAID:

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:12:03 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 23, 2008

Center for Health and Gender Equity

Today, more than 140 leaders from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America-including Members of the European Parliament, development experts and leaders of HIV/AIDS, human rights, faith-based and reproductive health rights organizations-called on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to reverse its recent decision to interfere with Marie Stopes International's (MSI) access to contraceptive supplies in Africa.

Abortion, Reproductive Health: Not Just Rights to Me

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:20:00 -0400

by Marianne Mollmann

Throughout a long election campaign, the future of abortion rights and the right to choose has remained a silent concern for many women and men as the higher-profile issues of the economy and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan dominated debate. But the question on Roe v. Wade put to the presidential candidates at the final debate on Wednesday moved the issue front and center once again. It is an intensely personal and relevant issue for women, and for most of us it is not an abstraction.

Colorado Domestic Violence Survivor Seeks Justice in International Tribunal

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:03:08 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2008

ACLU

In the first international human rights petition brought against the U.S. by a domestic violence survivor, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will hear testimony Wednesday in the case of Jessica Lenahan (formerly Gonzales), whose three daughters were kidnapped by her estranged husband and killed. Lenahan's domestic violence protection claims were rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

McCain Works Against Access to Contraception

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:58:30 -0400

by Michele Swenson

Once again, the media and even Democratic candidate Barack Obama, have failed to follow-up on McCain's stated opposition to abortion by questioning his equal opposition to contraception - the primary means to reduce the rate of abortion.

NOW Foundation Celebrates Love Your Body Day on Oct. 15

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:11:00 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008

National Organization for Women (NOW)

For over a decade now the National Organization for Women Foundation's Love Your Body campaign has countered the unrealistic beauty standards, gender stereotypes and sometimes harmful images imposed by media and advertisers with a simple but powerful message to women and girls -- Love Your Body. On October 15, we celebrate another year in our campaign to educate and encourage women and girls to say "no" to negative stereotypes and "yes" to awareness, health, and a positive body image.

Jeannette Rankin, the Anti-Palin

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 09:14:01 -0400

by Jeanmarie Simpson

America's 21st Century political landscape is nearly devoid of voices the likes of first US Congresswoman and lifelong pacifist, Jeannette Rankin, whose role in American history has been jaded by jingoist reductionism.

At the age of 8, in 1888, she learned of the slaughter of her Indian neighbors in Missoula, Montana.

"It was a most disgraceful act, the most outrageous thing that could happen. What Calley did at My Lai was nothing to what they did, the American army."

Actually, It's Pro-Family to Advocate Policies That Give Women Choices

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:19:27 -0400

by Antonia Zerbisias

Dear, dear Reader,

May we clear something up?

Just because I advocate for regulated child-care spaces, pay equity for women and reproductive freedom, does not mean I am anti-family. Nor does it mean I have a hate on for women who do not work outside of the home for pay, and who choose to be full-time moms.

Not every woman can choose.

I'm not talking about families who have a computer, flat screen TV and DVD player in every child's room. I'm talking no options, no way out.

'My Daughter’s Dream Became a Nightmare': The Murder of Military Women Continues

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:27:00 -0400

by Ann Wright

"My daughter's dream became a nightmare," sadly said Gloria Barrios, seven months after her daughter, US Air Force Senior Airman Blanca Luna, was murdered on Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

Bush Administration Withholds Birth Control, Putting Women in Africa in Serious Jeopardy

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:23:43 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2008

Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is appalled by the Bush administration's latest move to put women's lives in danger by withholding contraceptives, a critical family planning resource, from women in six African countries. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is mandating that several African governments terminate a program that allows Marie Stopes International (MSI), one of the world's leading family planning organizations, to provide contraceptives in those countries.

Center for Health and Gender Equity Condemns US Action to Deny Contraceptive Supplies in Africa

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:39:58 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 2, 2008

Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)

Today, the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) strongly condemned the Bush administration for its efforts to prevent foreign governments from providing U.S.-donated contraceptive supplies to Marie Stopes International (MSI), a UK-based organization that provides family planning services globally.