ICYMI, it’s Women’s History Month!  Last week women protested gender inequality on International Women’s Day by organizing a nationwide strike titled “A Day Without a Woman.” For that story and other top news from last week, check out Law Street’s best of the week below!

International Women’s Day: Scenes from Outside the Trump International Hotel

On International Women’s Day, women took to the streets of New York City (and other major cities) to protest gender inequality and highlight what a day without women would look like. Many women took the day off from work to symbolize how much they contribute to society, and many were dressed in red, which was chosen by the organizers to signify love and sacrifice. The nationwide initiative was organized by the same group that was behind the Women’s March on Washington.

The Debate Over “Wrongful Birth” in Texas

Texas lawmakers have been busy the last few weeks. Controversy surrounding a transgender bathroom bill in the mold of North Carolina’s HB2 law thrust the Texas Senate into the news after its Committee on State Affairs approved the measure with a 7-1 vote. Yet, while all of that was happening, another controversial bill flew slightly under the radar. Senate Bill 25, which was unanimously passed by the committee and will soon move on to the full senate for a vote, would protect doctors from “wrongful birth” lawsuits.

What is the “Day Without A Woman” Strike?

In honor of International Women’s Day, organizers of the Women’s March have declared March 8 “A Day Without a Woman.” Here’s what you need to know about the strike and how you can get involved.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post ICYMI: Best of the Week appeared first on Law Street.

Image courtesy of Emma Von Zeipel for Law Street Media

“I’m striking for the fact that we have a pussy grabber in the White House,” said Adina Klein, who said she is a rape survivor herself and that the election was a real trigger for her. “It’s been horrible. I’m striking for his disgusting cabinet appointments, I’m striking for the repeal of the ACA, I’m striking for all the women in my life that can’t strike.” She noted that she was lucky to be able to attend the demonstration without risking her job, as she could take a personal day from work.

Image courtesy of Emma Von Zeipel for Law Street Media

There is still a pay gap between men and women in the U.S. Right now women make about 79 cents for every dollar a man makes, which was one reason that Erica Jaffe went to the protest, along with her mother Jill. “Wage inequality is something that follows you your whole life. It usually starts when you’re 30, when it really widens, and after that point it’s really hard to catch up. It’s not fair,” said Erica. “It’s got to stop.

Although the focus of the day was on women’s rights–equal pay, the right to choose, and gender equality in general–many signs and chants also highlighted other causes. There were calls to save the Affordable Care Act, to welcome refugees and immigrants, to fight for transgender rights, and to impeach Donald Trump. As the mass of protesters started marching west toward Trump International Hotel, organizers and protesters gathered in the middle of the roundabout in Columbus Circle, prompting calls from police to disperse. In the end, some of the organizers were arrested.

Some of us have been arrested #DayWithoutAWoman pic.twitter.com/WSYVdrQjxA

— Women’s March (@womensmarch) March 8, 2017

Despite the arrests, the demonstration was peaceful and there were many families with children and babies. The march only went a couple of blocks to the Trump International Hotel by Central Park South, where people stopped and chanted at the building. The atmosphere was calm, even hopeful. Maybe it was because so many people of different genders, ethnicities, and ages came together, united.

Although I noticed one lonely Trump supporter in a red Make America Great Again hat who was walking around with two friends, heckling female protesters, nobody paid any attention to them. The focus was on the more important message–that women deserve as much respect as men.

“I’m a woman. And under current circumstances this is a pretty radical thing to stand up for,” said Ulli Barta. “It’s unbelievable what nowadays is being considered as the norm.”

Image courtesy of Emma Von Zeipel for Law Street Media

Marina Garcia-Vasquez agreed that being a woman is enough to protest in today’s political climate. “I’m here in solidarity and to support women’s rights in the workplace, as mothers in the workplace, and as women in society,” she said. “I mean the list goes on; reproductive rights, basic healthcare, anything, it starts from the basis of being a woman and demanding equal rights.”

Barta added that today, we can’t just be for women’s rights. “We have to be for civil rights, we have to be for LGBTQIA rights, we have to be for immigrant rights, we have to protect our environment.”

Check out some more photos below:

Image courtesy of Emma Von Zeipel for Law Street Media

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

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For many women, birth control pills feel like a lifesaver. When taken properly, they are 99 percent effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies, and often have the added bonus of reducing acne, regulating periods, and easing menstrual cramps. But, apparently their “lifesaving” status isn’t only meant metaphorically. According to a study by Oxford University, birth control pills have saved 200,000 lives from endometrial cancer over a nine-year period.

The Collaborative Group on Epidemiological Studies on Endometrial Cancer conducted the study and based on the results, believe that 400,000 cases of endometrial cancer before the age of 75 have been prevented over the past 50 years. Researchers determined this after analyzing the cases of 27,276 women with endometrial cancer and 115,743 without.

Endometrial cancer, more commonly known as uterine cancer, is a type of cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus and typically affects post-menopausal women. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 60,050 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with endometrial cancer in 2016, and approximately 10,470 women died from the disease, based on 2013 statistics.

The Oxford University study was first published in 2015 but made the news again this week, and its findings are more relevant than ever in light of recent events. This is especially true given that today is International Women’s Day, and women across the country are striking to protest President Donald Trump and to advocate for the rights of women–including reproductive rights.

This week Trump unveiled his highly awaited Obamacare replacement plan, which notably included provisions that would defund Planned Parenthood–preventing the organization from using federal funding toward its family planning services–and prevent Americans from using their tax credits to help pay for plans that include coverage of elective abortion services.

Under the new law, low-income women would have a much harder time obtaining affordable contraceptive options, including birth control pills. If the bill manages to make its way through Congress, the number of unwanted pregnancies and endometrial cancer cases could both rise.

Alexis Evans

Alexis Evans is an Assistant Editor at Law Street and a Buckeye State native. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business from Ohio University. Contact Alexis at aevans@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post Birth Control Pills Saved 200,000 Lives Over a Decade appeared first on Law Street.

Today is International Women’s Day as well as the “Day Without a Woman” strike, and in honor of that, we’re making today’s RantCrush all about women. Welcome to RantCrush Top 5, where we take you through today’s top five controversial stories in the world of law and policy. Who’s ranting and raving right now? Check it out below:

A Day Without A Woman

Since today is International Women’s Day, many women are planning a strike. There will be demonstrations and rallies across the country, and the organizers behind the Women’s March are calling on women everywhere to take the day off from work, avoid shopping for a day, and wear red. This is to recognize “the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system–while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequities, vulnerability to discrimination, sexual harassment, and job insecurity,” a statement on the group’s website says.

A Day Without a Woman is tmrw! To join:

1) Take the day off
2) Avoid shopping – unless at women & minority-owned businesses
3) Wear RED pic.twitter.com/nqzLd7RwJ2

— AJ+ (@ajplus) March 7, 2017

Several schools are closed for the day since many teachers are planning to stay at home and women make up 76 percent of America’s public school teachers. The average American woman currently makes 79 cents for every dollar a man makes, but minority women make even less. Women make up 47 percent of the U.S. workforce, which means if every woman stayed home from work today, it would cost the country almost $21 billion, according to the Center for American Progress. That’s something to think about!

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.

The post RantCrush Top 5: March 8, 2017 appeared first on Law Street.

Every year on March 8, organizations and individuals recognize what is known as International Women’s Day, during which thousands of celebrations take place across the world, recognizing all that women have achieved socially, economically, and politically. What started in 1911 in only three European countries has since grown into a global call for gender equality–and yet a better question for my title might be: Have You Heard of International Women’s Day? And if you have, did you contribute or did you let it pass by? The good news is, it is never too late to celebrate womankind.

As all good celebrations do, IWD always has a theme. This year’s was “Make It Happen,” focusing on the fight for women’s rights in every country. It acknowledges that in every aspect of a country’s social, economic, and political platforms: women matter. Equal rights for every gender, for every sexual orientation, and for every race, are long overdue.‪ International Women’s Day is not just for women, it is for everyone.

Marches for gender equality took place in New York City, London, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Mexico City, and in countries like Nepal, India, Morocco, Nicaragua, Turkey, the Philippines, China, and Indonesia. Events ranged from “Ladies Nights Out” to award ceremonies for women who have gone above and beyond. Millions took to social media with hashtags like #InternationalWomensDay, #MakeItHappen, and #PaintItPurple.

HAPPY #INTERNATIONALWOMENSDAY YOU QUEENS Read: http://t.co/r13WiwS0t5

— camEEla cabeYo (@camilacabello97) March 8, 2015

You just got to remind yourself that you’re brave, you’re honest & you’re beautiful Happy #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/Am3tLocmrU

— Fifth Harmony (@FifthHarmony) March 9, 2015

Surprise:The U.S. Is one of 9 countries in the world that doesn’t provide for paid maternity leave.#NoCeilings #InternationalWomensDay

— maria menounos (@mariamenounos) March 9, 2015

“In many parts of the world, it is more dangerous to be a woman than to be a soldier” #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/LfyfGQEoMF

— MINA (@_MinaMurad) March 8, 2015

Happy #InternationalWomensDay everyday

It is incredibly inspiring to see so many men and women band together to make something trend on Twitter and Facebook. But International Women’s Day is just one day, and while it inspires millions to act, until we achieve equal rights every day should be Women’s Day.

And to those misogynists who are annoyed and frustrated by the love shown for women today, don’t worry! There is an International Men’s Day in November. They may be disappointed to find out, though, that the whole point of that day is to, among other things, “focus on…improving gender relations, promoting gender equality, and highlighting positive male role models.” So, in reality, both days dedicated to both genders are about gender equality. How can we celebrate?

Make. It. Happen.

Morgan McMurray

Morgan McMurray is an editor and gender equality blogger based in Seattle, Washington. A 2013 graduate of Iowa State University, she has a Bachelor of Arts in English, Journalism, and International Studies. She spends her free time writing, reading, teaching dance classes, and binge-watching Netflix. Contact Morgan at staff@LawStreetMedia.com.

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