Focusing on ‘Exceptions’ Misses the True Harm of Abortion Bans

PUBLISHED 12/13/2022 by

The overwhelming focus on whether bans have exceptions and whether people can get abortions in extreme situations distorts our perception of what is actually happening in states that ban abortion—which is that abortion bans are extreme and harmful because they ban abortion, period. 

As the focus shifts to the 2023 state legislative sessions, where we expect lawmakers to further restrict abortion care, correcting public narratives about abortion bans is an urgent priority. To do that, we need to reframe how we discuss exceptions in three critical ways: Exceptions are designed to be unworkable. Focusing on exceptions ignores the vast majority of people harmed by abortion bans. And the focus on exceptions creates a false hierarchy of who is deserving of care.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Takes Effect, Meaning More Breaks and Accommodations: ‘A Historic Victory 10 Years in the Making’

PUBLISHED 12/13/2022 by and

The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act takes effect today, requiring employers to make “reasonable accommodations” for pregnant and postpartum workers.

“It will no longer be the case that pregnant workers can be ousted from their jobs for simply requesting basic accommodations like permission to sit on a stool, carry a bottle of water, or take additional bathroom breaks,” said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center.

Amid Pandemic Learning Loss, There’s an Urgent Need to Bring Parents and Teachers Together

PUBLISHED 12/13/2022 by

As a mom and a former teacher, I understand why parents and educators don’t want to hear about COVID-19 related learning loss. But it’s time we have an honest conversation—without blame or shame.

Ninety-two percent of parents believe their children are at or above grade level. This is despite a growing body of research telling a very different story. We can’t afford to wait for yet another reminder of how far our kids are behind.

‘Matilda’ Spotlights an Unsettling Truth: Spanking in Schools Is Still Pervasive in the U.S.

PUBLISHED 12/12/2022 by

While the much-anticipated film adaptation of Matilda, starring Emma Thompson as Trunchbull, will be sure to delight filmgoers of all ages this holiday season, the unsettling truth is that approximately 70,000 K-12 public school students are subject to corporal punishment annually.

It’s time that our communities and laws take aggressive steps to not just outlaw this practice—but to change the hearts and minds of both teachers and parents by promoting humane and effective practices that lead to long-term, positive changes in behavior.

‘Journey for Justice’: Immigrants and Advocates Begin 2,200-Mile Pilgrimage Across U.S.-Mexico Border

PUBLISHED 12/11/2022 by

Journey for Justice: Witness At The Border is an immigration justice pilgrimage made up of people hoping to enter the United States, as well as immigrant rights advocates. With the goal of highlighting injustices along U.S-Mexico border, the journey will cover over 2,000 miles and span over two weeks—from Dec. 2 until Dec. 18, ending on International Migrants Day.

Congressional Leaders and Advocates Call on Senate to Clear the Way for the ERA

PUBLISHED 12/8/2022 by

As the end of the year and the end of Congress’s lame duck session approaches, congressional leaders and women’s rights advocates are calling on the Senate to vote to list the time limit in the preamble of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), thus officially recognizing the ERA as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution.

“[The ERA] would empower Congress to better enforce laws protecting women,” said Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.). “And as we see the constant effort to whittle away at rights for women, everything from choice, they are bulldozing our rights into the ground.”

The War on Women Report: Republicans Blame Unmarried Women for Midterm Results; 80% of Pregnancy-Related Deaths Can Be Prevented

PUBLISHED 12/8/2022 by

U.S. patriarchal authoritarianism is on the rise, and democracy is on the decline. But day after day, we stay vigilant in our goals to dismantle patriarchy at every turn. The fight is far from over. We are watching, and we refuse to go back. This is the War on Women Report.

This month: Brittney Griner is released from a racist and homophobic penal colony; abortion access is still in shambles despite midterm victories; House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to step down; three high-profile mass shootings in a matter of weeks; and more.

Keeping Score: Brittney Griner Is Freed; Iranian Women Actors Arrested for Supporting Protests; Oregon Pardons Thousands for Marijuana Charges

PUBLISHED 12/8/2022 by

In every issue of Ms., we track research on our progress in the fight for equality, catalogue can’t-miss quotes from feminist voices and keep tabs on the feminist movement’s many milestones. We’re Keeping Score online, too—in in this biweekly round-up.

This week: Associated Press tells writers not to use harmful term “later-term abortion,” instead “abortion later in pregnancy”; advocates condemn the announcement of Trump’s 2024 presidential bid; Georgia’s six-week abortion ban is back; Iranian security arrested two women actors for supporting national protests; Oregon governor pardons 45,000 convicted on marijuana charges; VP Kamala Harris to swear in Los Angeles mayor-elect Karen Bass; and more.