Back in 1979, the U.S. government banned Polychlorinated Biphenyls [PCBs] after adverse health effects, including cancer, heart disease, and adrenal and thyroid problems, were linked to the chemical compound. Three-and-a-half decades later it turns out that PCBs are even worse than scientists initially thought, and have demonstrated effects on fertility.
Feminists need to pay more attention to domestic workers’ rights, especially in light of how hard domestic workers toil not just in their jobs, but also to advocate for their own basic workplace protections.
The CDC surveillance numbers for 2011 show that gonorrhea and chlamydia are up especially among young people and that three-quarters of all syphilis cases are among men who have sex with men; an analysis of STIs in New York City finds they are inextricably linked to poverty, and research suggests dormant HPV may reactivate as women near menopause.
A federal district court ruled a group of Catholic organizations can move forward with their claims the contraception mandate violates their religious freedoms.
Legal protections for domestic workers have historically been weak. But despite a major loss in California at the hands of Governor Jerry Brown, the domestic workers’ rights movement and its supporters feel the tide may be turning in their favor.
While the Maryland ballot initiative on education is great for young migrants in that state, it highlights the fact that federal action is sorely needed to protect the human rights and dignity of migrants everywhere.
Next year will have an historic number of female senators, and that could be very good for women.
Much of the discussion this election cycle has been about changing demographics. But demographics alone aren’t going to run a policy agenda through the system. Huge challenges remain in economic justice, immigration, environment, education and housing reform.
Natural disasters tend to make low income and poor people—the majority of whom are women—even more vulnerable to physical assault as well as to greater economic challenges in the years that follow.
New York City is helping train volunteers for a clinic escort program that will help patients seeking abortion get past anti-choice militants who crowd around clinics slinging invective. Anti-choice whining about this is unintentionally revealing.
