Women's Rights

The Next Chapter for Battles Over Abortion in the States

The Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade promises to bring a new wave of debate to statehouses on the issue, as conservatives move to restrict the procedure and liberals look to protect access. Meanwhile, anti-abortion activists say their work isn't finished.

  • By Daniela Altimari

Pushback on Louisiana’s Scuttled Abortion Bill Reveals a Limit on How Far Anti-abortion Groups Are Willing To Go

The law would have classified abortion as a homicide, which was a 'bridge too far' for Louisiana lawmakers, said one expert.

  • By Jessica Kutz  , The 19th

Republican State Lawmakers Prepare to Quickly Limit Abortion Access if Roe v. Wade Is Overturned

Through the courts, new bills and special sessions, Republican state lawmakers are working to make sure they are ready to limit access as soon as is legally permissible.

  • By Shefali Luthra, The 19th

More States Shield Against Rogue Abortion Prosecutions

Experts predict more prosecutions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade as expected.

  • By Christine Vestal, Stateline

'This Was Not a Surprise': How the Pro-Choice Movement Lost the Battle for Roe

In the wake of a leaked draft opinion indicating the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, Joshua Prager, author of “The Family Roe,” discusses the 50-year battle over abortion rights and the strategic decisions that led us here.

  • By Alexandra Zayas, ProPublica

Best and Worst States for Women

A recent analysis looked at gender pay gaps, paid family leave, child care costs and domestic violence rates among other things.

  • By Andre Claudio

Colorado May Soon Be the First State to Guarantee Lawmakers 12 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave

Such formal parental leave policies are extremely rare in statehouses. That’s changing as more women and young people serve in public office.

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

Blue States Enact New Laws to Create Abortion Havens

If Roe tumbles, abortion access will depend on where you live.

  • By Christine Vestal, Stateline

An Emphasis on Brilliance Creates a Toxic Workplace Atmosphere That Discourages Women

COMMENTARY | A focus on raw intellectual talent may unintentionally create a cutthroat workplace. New research suggests women’s preference to avoid that environment may contribute to gender gaps in some fields.

  • By Andrea Vial , The Conversation

31 States Have Laws That Allow Forced Sterilizations

A new report from the National Women’s Law Center lays out the laws, some passed as recently as 2019, around an overlooked aspect of reproductive justice.

  • By Sara Luterman , The 19th

Pumping, Voting, Taking Leave: Legislators Who Are Mothers Face Specific Challenges

The nonprofit group Vote Mama Foundation is trying to collect comprehensive data about a unique subset of lawmakers.

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

Percentage of Women in State Policing Has Stalled Since 2000

Female officers are less likely to use force and are named in fewer complaints.

  • By Lindsey Van Ness, Stateline
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Snip Snip: One Plan to Mandate Vasectomies to Prevent Pregnancies

A Pennsylvania lawmaker said his “parody legislation,” outlined in a sponsorship memo, is meant to garner discussion about reproductive rights.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

September Saw One of the Biggest Drops in Women’s Jobs Since Pandemic Began

More than 300,000 women left the labor force last month, the second time in the pandemic that the start of a new school year and loss of child care has caused a major drop-off of women from the workforce.

  • By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th

State Lawmakers Push to Allow Residents to Contribute to Abortion Access Fund

A bill would allow New York residents to contribute on their tax returns, allocating money to nonprofit organizations that help women travel and pay for abortions.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Lyft and Uber Establish Legal Funds to Protect Drivers from Texas Abortion Law

The ride-booking companies said they would cover legal fees if their drivers are sued under the state’s new law, which allows private citizens to file lawsuits against anyone who “aids and abets” a woman in obtaining an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Summer Camps Haven’t Fully Recovered. That Could Hurt Working Moms.

Without a full return of summer programs this year, working moms face months of uncertainty that could further splinter their relationship with the workforce.

  • By Chabeli Carrazana, The 19th

Only Some Parents Can Use Campaign Funds for Child Care When Running for Office. Here’s Why.

A new report highlights the financial barriers to parents of young children running for state and local office.

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

Delaware Bill Would Require Menstruation Products In Public School Bathrooms

The one-time cost to each school would be about $30,000 to install dispensers and $77,000 a year to keep them filled.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Pandemic Has Been Extra Hard on Single Mothers

Single mothers have scrambled during the pandemic to secure child care. What will the federal government do to help in 2021?

  • By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th

‘Trigger Laws’ in Some States Would Ban Abortion Immediately If Roe is Overturned

The country already has a patchwork of different restrictions on abortion. How would that change in a post-Roe world?

  • By Emma Coleman