In 2014, a Youtube video went viral for documenting 10 hours of walking in NYC as a woman. While some found the amount of catcalling in the video surprising, most women who live in urban areas know all too well what it’s like to experience street harassment. While the federal government prohibits gender-based harassment in… Continue reading Combating Street Harassment
Pro-life rhetoric often focuses on fetal pain as a one of the foundational reasons why abortion is immoral. Yet the fact is that scientists aren’t in agreement about when—or if—fetuses experience pain. Politicians shouldn’t be able to use fetal pain as an excuse to pass legislation that takes away a woman’s bodily autonomy, simply because… Continue reading Does a fetus feel pain?
With the intention of facing opposition that would usher legislation through the halls of the Supreme Court, the Alabama House passed a bill on April 30 that would ban nearly all abortions in the state. "This bill is simply about Roe v. Wade," Republican state Rep. Terri Collins said . "The decision that was made… Continue reading Alabama Prepares for Roe v. Wade Challenge with State Abortion Ban
Democrats have called for the postponement of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings. That’s a good thing for reproductive rights advocates, but it’s important to stay informed on the threat posed by the nominee. Kavanaugh still has a good chance of being appointed to our nation’s highest court, and, as there’s no limit on… Continue reading Brett Kavanaugh and Reproductive Rights
In March, activist Alejandra Pablos was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in. Routine check-ins with ICE are part of life for many people in the United States who are in the process of applying for citizenship, applying for asylum, or waiting on a court date for an immigration status-related issue.… Continue reading Immigrant Justice is a Reproductive Rights Issue
More and more, research is confirming that climate change and pollution of all kinds affects every aspect of life on Earth. Not surprisingly, this includes reproductive health. It may be intuitive that what goes on in our environment affects what goes on in our bodies, but the extent of damage that occurs due to environmental… Continue reading Climate Change and Reproductive Health
On Saturday, December 2nd, Capital Women’s Services was infiltrated by anti-choice militants who harassed, demeaned and disrespected our patients and who physically prevented our medical staff from entering our facility. While we are disheartened by the seemingly growing willingness of anti-choicers to violate federal law, we are thankful that the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington,… Continue reading Our Reaction to a Recent Invasion by Anti-Choice Protesters
Alarming headlines have circulated recently regarding a Danish research study that links hormonal contraceptives to an increased risk of breast cancer. The study’s findings are significant—the research team sampled 1.8 million women, ranging from girls in their teens to middle-aged women. It was also a long term study that took 11 years to complete. Researchers… Continue reading A Second Look at the Link Between Hormonal Birth Control and Cancer
Ever wondered why male birth control isn’t a thing? Here’s a hint: It’s not because there aren’t a variety of safe options developed and tested by scientists. Not surprisingly, it has everything to do with a lack of funding from the pharmaceutical industry. And of course, this lack of funding stems from our culture of… Continue reading The Elusive Male Birth Control
At some point in life, we all learn that the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is utter bull. In fact, verbal abuse goes hand in hand with physical violence—as graphics like this illustrate, language is an instrument that normalizes rape culture. In response, activists and marginalized… Continue reading Celebrating Slutwalk, Rethinking Slutwalk
