The bill that would require women to undergo an invasive transvaginal ultrasound before having an abortion was pulled after Virginia’s governor withdrew his support. Governor Bob McDonnell faced a wave of criticism over the bill. It was argued that a transvaginal ultrasound, or “state-sponsored rape” as some blogs have named the invasive procedure, is not medically ...
In the United States, where abortion rights are under direct attack, The Doula Project is promoting services for women who are terminating their pregnancies. The remit of a doula is to provide non-medical support through the latter stages of pregnancy and birth. American States have passed over eighty laws this year restricting a woman’s right ...
We own our bodies, and the government cannot step in and tell us what to do with them. That doesn’t sound too outlandish, right? A recent United Nations report stood up for this idea, saying that a woman has a right to her own health and body. Although the idea seems simple it goes against ...
Since the beginning of 2011, nearly a dozen laws have been passed that limit a woman’s right to an abortion. Women are fighting back, but they need help. There seems to be a lack of passion and fury in today’s reproductive rights activists, and there may be a reason why: we don’t know what is ...
Doctors who perform abortions based on the sex or race of the fetus will now be committing a crime in Arizona. Felony charges will be issued if they can show that the abortion was performed “for the purposes of helping parents select their offspring” because of race or sex. There is no requirement for doctors to ...
A case that’s been ongoing for five years between Ireland and three women over access to abortion has been brought before the European Court of Human Rights. Although abortion is allowed in Ireland if “a woman’s life is at risk”, in these three cases “Irish restrictions on abortion had stigmatised and humiliated them, risking damage to their health.” ...
Pregnant teens in Alaska must now inform their parents before having an abortion. This law took effect yesterday and the judge says it is in the interest of “promoting communication between pregnant minors and their families.” The girls that already tell their parents, with or without a law, are not the ones that are vulnerable ...
An Australian couple is on trial for having an abortion. She was 19, he was 20, and this was the best choice for them at the time. They used drugs to have a medical abortion. They declared them to the customs agents. They followed instructions. They thought everything would be okay. But now she ...
Anti-abortion proponents often quote the pain the fetus feels as a reason to restrict abortions. But in a win for the pro-choice side, a British study has just said that fetuses to do not feel pain before 24 weeks and there is no reason to change the rules. Before 24 weeks the fetus’ brain is too ...
In America, anti-abortion advocates must be celebrating in the streets. Eleven states have passed laws this year restricting abortion and 370 state bills are under consideration. I think it’s time we finally accept that women will never be completely free to choose and there will always be an ongoing battle over rights to abortion. Also, for ...
So, we’re having this baby. It’s due in a few weeks and we’re trying to get organized with all...
I recently heard about what is claimed to be the rising phenomenon of Japanese men remaining virgins for longer...
Ladders. Patriarchal conspiracy. I’ll explain… This week I climbed a ladder. I was trying to reach a loft space,...
Dear Madame X, My boyfriend needs to look at porn while we have sex. It bothers me because I...
Mrs. Dalloway is yet another feminist classic that I had to grow into. Wrapped up in Woolf’s instantly recognizable...
Last week saw a Big Thing come to our soggy little island. Well, it was a Big Thing for...
Last weekend I was entertaining a guest, you know, the sort I was planning to have lots and lots...
All little girls want to be princesses… right?! It’s bad enough that toy aisles are separated out by what...
