As a young person from the same Native American communities as my students, I find it more and more culturally relevant that our younger generation educate each other.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) today, the final day of Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month. So what’s at stake for youth?
Native American women don’t have access to emergency contraception despite repeated requests by women’s groups to the Indian Health Service. Everyone from the IHS to the Department of the Interior to Senators to the White House is involved in the decision, but no one appears to be taking responsiblity. How much longer do Native women have to wait?
It is an outrage that not only may it be difficult to physically access Plan B but also lack of information regarding emergency contraceptives can serve as an obstacle for young women who have been sexually assaulted.
Originally passed in 1994, VAWA has been consistently reauthorized and improved with broad bipartisan support. This year, however, the far right wing in the House is insisting on leaving specific groups of women unprotected. Why?
On Valentine’s Day, lucky American women will receive roses as a show of affection. But for too many, violence, intimidation, and abuse are the norm.
Republican anti-choice legislators continue to introduce time and money wasting measures like the “Life At Conception Act” which have no chance of passing; lady health workers in Pakistan; another study which finds abortion does not carry a higher risk of mental health problems; and sexual violence against Native American women on reservations.
The Hyde Amendment banning federal funds for abortion care discriminates against low income women and women of color. But is far from the only ban that discriminates against women of color and low-income women.
