Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation is a compilation of stories about women’s representation in politics, on boards, in sports and entertainment, in judicial offices and in the private sector in the U.S. and around the world—with a little gardening and goodwill mixed in for refreshment!
Texas Lawmakers Deem Abortion ‘Non-Essential,’ But Church ‘Essential’
On Tuesday, March 31, an appeals court allowed the Texasabortion ban to remain in place until the case made its way through the courts. Similar lawsuits are pending in other states as Alabama, Iowa, Ohio and Oklahoma attempt to ban abortions as well.
GLAAD and Senators Call to End Ban on Blood Donations from Gay and Bi Men
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, blood donations have become increasingly necessary to help those diagnosed with the disease. However, not all healthy people can donate: The FDA has stated that—despite the need—gay and bisexual men are still banned from donating blood.
Trump Wages War on the Affordable Care Act in the Midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The president is urging the federal judiciary to invalidate the entire Affordable Care Act (ACA).
If successful, 20 million people could lose health insurance; 135 million people with preexisting conditions—including cancer, pregnancy and diabetes—will lose desperately needed protections; and 12 million seniors will pay more for prescription drugs.
The last thing we should do is make it harder for these groups to access the care they need.
“Wear Makeup and Office Clothes,” “Don’t Nag Husband,” Malaysia Advises Women Sheltering-in-Place
On March 18, the Malaysian Ministry of Women and Family Development issued a series of infographics with advice like: Don’t nag your husband. Refrain from being “sarcastic” if asked for help with household chores. Dress up and wear makeup in the home.
Beautiful As Is: Is Bias Against Natural Black Hair Shifting?
Deeming some hairstyles professional or acceptable while others—such as locks are not—is just one way that those in power deem who gets hired, who gets promoted, and who is allowed to experience the freedom to simply be and dress and exist as they naturally are.
The Mother of All Burdens: COVID-19 and Physician Parents
“As practicing physicians with small children at home, we both understand all parents are scrambling to find childcare and set up home schooling to continue their children’s education during the shutdown—while trying to work from home. This disproportionately affects female physicians, as they spend 8.5 more hours per week on domestic activities than male counterparts.
Four Key Global Trends on Gender, Security and Safety
Understanding how disease outbreaks affect women differently than men is critical to creating equitable and effective policy responses.
Self-Managed Abortion Is Medically Very Safe. But Is It Legally Safe?
Self-managed abortion—on the rise in the U.S.—means doing an abortion yourself by obtaining abortion pills, and taking them without going to a doctor.
Can You Deny My Lived Experience of FGM?
A new global report looks at 60 countries where FGM is practiced and may be widespread. But it happens in secret. It is not against the law, and governments do not even collect official data about it. Instead they pretend it does not exist.