Women's Rights

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
December 29, 2020

‘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
December 11, 2020

A Record Number of Women Will Serve in Statehouses Next Year

New data shows women will represent just over 30 percent of all legislative seats, and will increase the number of women-majority chambers

By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th
December 8, 2020

Coming Abortion Fight Could Threaten Birth Control, Too

In discussions of the impact Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett could have on abortion rights, many overlook related issues, including the right to birth control that the court recognized in 1965. During her confirmation hearings, Barrett refused to say whether she felt that case was correctly decided.

By Julie Rovner, Kaiser Health News
November 5, 2020

Coalition of Prosecutors and Attorneys General Say They Won’t Enforce Laws Criminalizing Abortion if Roe v. Wade is Overturned

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Boston finalizes police reforms … San Diego purchases hotels to house homeless people … NYC Mayor asks ICE agents to stop falsely identifying themselves as members of the NYPD.

By Emma Coleman
October 14, 2020

Fearing the Future of Roe v. Wade, New Jersey Moves to Protect Abortion Access

Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that lawmakers would introduce a package of legislation to enshrine reproductive health care into state law.

By Kate Elizabeth Queram
October 5, 2020

One Tennessee Prosecutor Says He Won’t Enforce Controversial Abortion Law

The Nashville district attorney says he won’t prosecute doctors who fail to inform patients that a medication abortion can be reversed—a claim medical groups say isn’t backed up by science.

By Emma Coleman
September 28, 2020

Mothers Are 3 Times More Likely Than Fathers to Have Lost Jobs in Pandemic

“This will set gender equity back quite a bit.”

By Tim Henderson, Stateline
September 28, 2020

Michigan’s ‘Tampon Tax’ Challenged in New Lawsuit

The litigation is part of a national movement toward exempting menstrual products from states' sales taxes.

By Barbara Rodriguez, The 19th
August 14, 2020

Supreme Court Strikes Down Restrictive Abortion Law

It was the first major abortion case heard by Supreme Court since the addition of two new conservative justices.

By Emma Coleman
June 29, 2020

Women Disproportionately Losing Their Jobs During Coronavirus Downturn

Women of color, single mothers, and women over the age of 55 have been particularly hard hit.

By Emma Coleman
May 28, 2020

Abortion Clinic Protesters Are Being Arrested for Violating Stay-At-Home Orders

In several cities across the country, anti-abortion protesters are among those testing local and state orders telling people to stay home, saying they see their actions as constitutionally protected.

By Emma Coleman
April 13, 2020

Judges Take Up Abortion Bans Put in Place During Coronavirus Pandemic

Federal judges on Monday blocked Texas, Ohio, and Alabama from forcing abortion clinics to close. A day later, a federal appeals court panel temporarily reinstated the Texas limits.

By Emma Coleman
March 31, 2020

‘We 100% Plan to Stay Open’: Abortion Providers Say They Will Continue Services During Pandemic

Abortion clinics across the country are continuing to offer services, which providers call essential and time sensitive.

By Emma Coleman
March 18, 2020

Women Lawmakers Are Making Gains—But Only in Some State Capitols

The rise of women in state legislatures hasn’t been equally distributed across geographic and ideological divides.

By Emma Coleman
March 3, 2020

Supreme Court Takes Up Abortion Again With Major Louisiana Case

The high court struck down a nearly identical law in 2016, but some say that the court’s new conservative majority could allow a Louisiana law to stand.

By Emma Coleman
March 2, 2020

A Teacher Said Her Boss Wouldn't Allow Breast Milk Pumping. Now Georgia Lawmakers Are Pushing a Bill.

Federal law requires employers to provide certain accommodations for breastfeeding women, but some careers, including teachers, aren't covered.

By Kate Elizabeth Queram
February 13, 2020

Why Men Vote for Republicans, and Women Vote for Democrats

COMMENTARY | The gender gap is larger than ever.

By Derek Thompson, The Atlantic
February 10, 2020

States Move to Protect Anesthetized Women from Non-Consensual Pelvic Exams

The controversial practice is condemned by major medical organizations, but still legal in most states.

By Emma Coleman
February 4, 2020

In Two States, Debates Over the Ethics of Paid Surrogacy

Lawmakers in New York, one of only three states where paid surrogacy is illegal, are trying to repeal their ban. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, legislators say surrogacy has led to the commercialization of children and want to prohibit it.

By Emma Coleman
January 30, 2020

Equal Rights Amendment Clears First Step in Virginia, as Trump Administration Declares Effort Dead

A Justice Department opinion issued this week says the deadline for ratification has passed. Advocates say otherwise.

By Emma Coleman
January 9, 2020

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

New data shows women will represent just over 30 percent of all legislative seats, and will increase the number of women-majority chambers

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Boston finalizes police reforms … San Diego purchases hotels to house homeless people … NYC Mayor asks ICE agents to stop falsely identifying themselves as members of the NYPD.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday that lawmakers would introduce a package of legislation to enshrine reproductive health care into state law.

The Nashville district attorney says he won’t prosecute doctors who fail to inform patients that a medication abortion can be reversed—a claim medical groups say isn’t backed up by science.

“This will set gender equity back quite a bit.”

The litigation is part of a national movement toward exempting menstrual products from states' sales taxes.

It was the first major abortion case heard by Supreme Court since the addition of two new conservative justices.

Women of color, single mothers, and women over the age of 55 have been particularly hard hit.

In several cities across the country, anti-abortion protesters are among those testing local and state orders telling people to stay home, saying they see their actions as constitutionally protected.

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Federal judges on Monday blocked Texas, Ohio, and Alabama from forcing abortion clinics to close. A day later, a federal appeals court panel temporarily reinstated the Texas limits.

Abortion clinics across the country are continuing to offer services, which providers call essential and time sensitive.

The rise of women in state legislatures hasn’t been equally distributed across geographic and ideological divides.

The high court struck down a nearly identical law in 2016, but some say that the court’s new conservative majority could allow a Louisiana law to stand.

Federal law requires employers to provide certain accommodations for breastfeeding women, but some careers, including teachers, aren't covered.

COMMENTARY | The gender gap is larger than ever.

The controversial practice is condemned by major medical organizations, but still legal in most states.

Lawmakers in New York, one of only three states where paid surrogacy is illegal, are trying to repeal their ban. Meanwhile, in South Dakota, legislators say surrogacy has led to the commercialization of children and want to prohibit it.

A Justice Department opinion issued this week says the deadline for ratification has passed. Advocates say otherwise.

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