Sublime Feminine Intelligence
Written By: Rob Brezsny

What are the qualities of people who embody sublime feminine intelligence, as I aspire to do?

• They are lovers of equality; activists committed to social and economic justice; in service to people who are from disadvantaged backgrounds; excited to protect and preserve the health of the natural world; passionate about diminishing militarism, plutocracy, bigotry, misogyny, and racism.

• They believe that no one is free unless we all are free; that the supreme goal is to reduce suffering and increase joy.

• They prize their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things.
• Listening well is a quality they value.

• They are willing to expand and adjust their understandings of the world if they encounter new information that reveals their previous beliefs are obsolete or too narrow.

• They consider the needs of as many people as possible, not just the needs of their immediate family, community, and network of allies.

• They are emotionally intelligent. They understand it’s as crucial to develop a savvy relationship with our feelings as it is to be intellectually smart.

• They regard relationship as a crucible for spiritual work.

• They regard practical expressions of kindness and compassion and ethical behavior as sacred practices that are at the core of spiritual work.
• They proceed as if loving and caring for animals and plants and the earth is a prime test of our spiritual intentions.

• They understand that to accomplish practical changes that serve the greatest good requires hard work in the trenches of political struggle, often having to deal with people who have different beliefs.

• They are nuanced, not simplistic; respect dialog more than authoritative pronouncements; seek consensus, not doctrinaire obeisance; understand that perfectionism is often the enemy of the good.

• Love is their highest priority, their go-to motivation.

PRESIDENT OF MEXICO, CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM

In the US, the supreme leader is a felon, liar, misogynist, bigot, oligarch, fascist, rapist, theocrat, psychopath, and person of very low intelligence.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, they have the embodiment of Sublime Feminine Intelligence as head of state — PhD energy engineer, climate advocate, LGBTQ champion, mother, and feminist President Claudia Sheinbaum. In 2024, she was elected in a landslide victory, defeating a woman who was the other main candidate.

On March 9, 2025, President Sheinbaum led a traditional Indigenous cleansing ceremony. It was a powerful statement that merged ancestral wisdom with modern governance in ways that would have been unimaginable a generation ago.

More on this momentous event

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PS: A few crabby people tell me that President Claudia Sheinbaum isn’t perfect. Of course I know she’s not perfect. Breaking news: No one is. No politician aligns exactly with every one of our high ideals — EVER. Even Bernie Sanders, whom I love, doesn’t match all my values.

But President Sheinbaum is the closest we have anywhere in the world to a progressive leader who cares about women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, Indigenous rights, the stain of colonialism, the necessity of government support for economically disadvantaged people, and most other important leftist values.

Womens Rights

Women's rights encompass the fundamental human rights that all women and girls are entitled to, ensuring their equality and dignity. These rights include the right to bodily integrity, freedom from violence, equality in education, work, and politics, and access to reproductive health services. The fight for women's rights has been a long and ongoing struggle, with activists and organizations working to achieve full equality for women in all aspects of life.

These include:

the right to live free from violence and discrimination;
making choices over their own body;
to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
to be educated;
the right to be informed;
the right to be heard;
the right to choose;
protecting women's reproductive health. access to safe and legal abortion, family planning, and other reproductive healthcare services;
promoting women's economic independence through access to resources, entrepreneurship, and equal opportunities in the workplace;
addressing gender-based discrimination in social norms and practices, including issues like marriage and inheritance;
freedom from violence;
equal representation in political decision-making;
the right to say NO;
to own property;
ensuring equal opportunities in education, employment, and politics;
to vote;
to earn an equal wage.

But across the globe many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender.

Women’s rights are human rights!

We are all entitled to human rights. These include the right to live free from violence and discrimination; to enjoy the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health; to be educated; to own property; to vote; and to earn an equal wage.

But across the globe many women and girls still face discrimination on the basis of sex and gender. Gender inequality underpins many problems which disproportionately affect women and girls, such as domestic and sexual violence, lower pay, lack of access to education, and inadequate healthcare.

For many years women’s rights movements have fought hard to address this inequality, campaigning to change laws or taking to the streets to demand their rights are respected. And new movements have flourished in the digital age, such as the #MeToo campaign which highlights the prevalence of gender-based violence and sexual harassment.

ISSUES WOMEN ARE FACING

Protonatalism

The term "pronatalism" refers to the belief that having children is good and that government policies should incentivize people to have children. It's a movement gaining traction, particularly on the right, with figures like Elon Musk, R. J. Vance, and Donald Trump advocating for it. Arguments in favor often center on the idea that declining birth rates threaten the future and that having more children is beneficial for the country's economic and social well-being.

Examples of Pronatalist Policies:

Baby Bonuses: Financial incentives offered to families for having children.

Extended Paid Parental Leave: Offering extended periods of paid time off for new parents.
Childcare Subsidies: Government assistance to help families afford childcare costs.

Tax Breaks for Families: Offering tax deductions and credits specifically for families with children.

Focus on Family Policies: Prioritizing policies that support family formation, such as affordable housing and accessible healthcare.

Arguments for Pronatalism:

Economic Growth: A larger workforce can boost economic output and innovation.

Social Stability: Stronger families and a growing population can lead to a more stable society.

Addressing Demographic Shifts: Declining birth rates can lead to an aging population, which can strain social security and healthcare systems.

Criticisms of Pronatalism:

Reinforcing Traditional Gender Roles:

Pronatalist policies can reinforce the idea that women are primarily responsible for childbearing and childcare, potentially limiting their opportunities in the workforce and other areas.

Financial Strain:

The costs of raising children can be significant, and pronatalist policies may not adequately address the financial needs of families.

Focusing on Population Growth Rather than Addressing Root Causes:

Some argue that pronatalist policies fail to address the underlying reasons why people choose not to have children, such as concerns about the environment, economic insecurity, or societal pressures.
Pronatalism in the US: The Trump administration's push for more births : https://populationconnection.org/learn/pronatalism-in-the-us/

In conclusion, pronatalism is a complex issue with both potential benefits and drawbacks. It's a growing movement with a focus on incentivizing childbearing through government policies, but it's also met with criticism for potentially reinforcing traditional gender roles and failing to address the root causes of low birth rates.

Gender Pay Gap

The gender pay gap refers to the difference in earnings between women and men, typically measured as the ratio of women's to men's median earnings. In the U.S., women working full-time, year-round earn about 82-83 cents for every dollar earned by men. This gap exists even when considering factors like education, experience, and occupation.

The gender pay gap in the United States, the difference in earnings between men and women, is a persistent issue, with women earning approximately 83 cents for every dollar a man earns. This gap persists despite women being more likely to have college degrees, and it widens throughout a woman's career. Factors contributing to the gap include occupational segregation, hours worked, and potentially gender bias in hiring and promotions.

Key Findings:

Narrowing Progress:

While the gap has narrowed somewhat over the past few decades, progress has slowed significantly in the 21st century.

Impact on Women:

The gender pay gap translates to a significant financial loss for women, with estimates placing the combined annual earnings loss at around $1.7 trillion.

Intersectionality:

The gap is particularly pronounced for women of color, who face the combined effects of gender and racial discrimination.

Unequal Pay by Occupation:

Women in many occupations are paid less than their male counterparts, and this discrepancy can persist even at similar education and experience levels.

"Motherhood Penalty":

The gap is exacerbated by the "motherhood penalty," where women who become mothers experience a decrease in earnings compared to women who do not.

Socioeconomic Consequences:

The gender pay gap has broad socioeconomic consequences, impacting families, businesses, and the overall economy.

Gender Based Violence

Gender-based violence (GBV) in the U.S. is a significant public health and safety concern, affecting both men and women, but disproportionately impacting women and girls. GBV includes various forms like intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and trafficking. It's estimated that at least one-third of U.S. women have experienced GBV, and over half of female murder victims are killed by current or former partners.

Prevalence and Impact:

Intimate Partner Violence:

A significant percentage of women (1 in 3) and men (1 in 10) experience some form of physical violence by a partner in their lifetime.

Sexual Violence:

More than half of women and almost a third of men experience unwanted sexual contact in their lifetime.

Consequences:

GBV can lead to physical harm, long-term emotional distress, and even death. It can also have lasting social and economic impacts.

Displacement:

Displacement, whether from conflict or disasters, increases the risk of GBV, particularly for women and girls.

Types of GBV:

Intimate Partner Violence: Includes physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse.

Sexual Violence: Rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation.

Trafficking: Including sex trafficking and labor trafficking.

Other Forms: Child, early, and forced marriage, female genital mutilation, honor killings, and technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

Addressing GBV:

U.S. National Plan:

The U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence aims to address the root causes of GBV, including structural inequalities, and promote prevention, intervention, and response efforts.

Legal Frameworks:

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides funding and support for services for survivors and prevention efforts.

International Efforts:

The U.S. government is, or at least was, also working on a global strategy to prevent and respond to GBV.

Prevention:

Efforts focus on addressing gender inequalities, promoting healthy relationships, and changing harmful norms and practices.

Key Statistics (for reference):

One-third of women experience GBV in their lifetime.

More than half of women murdered in the U.S. are killed by current or former partners.

Nearly 40% of women who are murdered die at the hands of their partners.

90% of rape victims are women.

Over 80% of adult victims know their rapist.

In the U.S., 1 in 4 women experience abuse during their lifetimes.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment in the US is a serious issue, with many people experiencing it in various settings. It's defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates a hostile or offensive environment. The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) investigates and enforces laws against sexual harassment in the workplace. While the #MeToo movement has raised awareness, rates of harassment and assault remain high, with significant impacts on victims' well-being and career.

How common is sexual harassment?

Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.
Anyone of any age, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity can be a victim or a harasser. The victim and the harasser can also be of the same sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity.
Workplace sexual harassment is common but is rarely reported.
Thirty eight percent of all women and fourteen percent of men have reported experiencing sexual harassment at work (Kearl, Johns, & Raj, 2019).
1 in 7 women and 1 in 17 men have sought a new job assignment, changed jobs, or quit a job because of sexual harassment and assault (Kearl et al., 2019).
Sixty percent of women say they have experienced unwanted sexual attention, sexual coercion, sexually crude conduct, or sexist comments in the workplace (Feldblum & Lipnic, 2016).
In some industries, more than 9 in 10 women say they have been sexually harassed (Puente & Kelly, 2018).
Over 85 percent of people who experience sexual harassment never file a formal legal charge, and approximately 70 percent of employees never even complain internally (Feldblum & Lipnic, 2016).
The impact of sexual harassment in the workplace is real and damaging (Feldblum & Lipnic, 2016).Employees that experience sexual harassment are more likely to report:
Psychological symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, stress, and anxiety.
Physical problems such as headaches, sleep problems, gastric problems, weight loss/gain, etc.
Impact on other employees/witnesses - The damaging effects of harassment do not just impact the employee who is the victim of sexual harassment. Those who observe it can also suffer mental and physical harm and employee morale can decrease.
Costs for businesses – Businesses can face financial costs associated with harassment complaints in addition to decreased employee productivity, increased employee turnover rate, and reputational harm.

Workplace sexual harassment online toolkits

The following are resources and tools for advocates and employers working to prevent and respond to sexual harassment.

Workplaces Respond to Domestic & Sexual Violence: A National Resource Center: (Webpage) Workplaces Respond provides resources, training, and technical assistance to employers, survivors, co-workers, and advocates to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, abuse, assault, and other forms of violence impacting the workplace. Highlighted resources by Workplaces Respond includes:

COVID-19 Survivors & the Workplace (Webpage) – list of resources for employers on how to support survivors in the workplace during COVID-19.
Guide for Advocates (PDF, 5 pages) - Outlines the strategies advocates can implement to help prevent and respond to sexual harassment, abuse, and assault in the workplace.
Model Workplace Policy (PDF, 10 pages) – A customizable model policy on responding to violence in the workplace that employers can customize.
The Top 10 Things Employers Can Do Right Now to Address Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (Blog post) – List of action items for employers to address sexual harassment.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Toolkit (PDF, 41 pages) This toolkit by Equal Rights Advocates contains information about employees' legal rights, tips on what to do if an employee experiences sexual harassment or is facing retaliation, and provides additional resources for legal information.

#NowWhat: The Sexual Harassment Solutions Toolkit (webpage) This toolkit by New America is the companion piece to their Sexual Harassment: A Severe and Pervasive Problem report that documents the pervasiveness of sexual harassment. The toolkit focuses on promising solutions for preventing sexual harassment.

Workplace Discrimination

In the U.S., a significant portion of working women (42%) report experiencing gender discrimination at work. This includes facing pay disparities, feeling overlooked for promotions, and encountering gender-biased questions during job interviews. Laws like Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibit such discrimination, and the Equal Pay Act ensures equal pay for equal work, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Types of Workplace Gender Discrimination:

Pay Disparities:

Women are frequently paid less than men for performing the same work, according to the Pew Research Center.

Promotion Challenges:

Women may be passed over for promotions based on their gender, as reported by the Center for American Progress and SHRM.

Biased Questions in Interviews:

Some women report encountering gender-biased or inappropriate questions during job interviews, according to SHRM.

Lack of Representation:

Many women feel there isn't enough female representation in leadership positions, SHRM.

Perception of Competence:

Women may be treated as if they are not competent because of their gender, Pew Research Center.

Repeat Slights:

Some women report experiencing repeated small slights at work due to their gender, Pew Research Center.

Legal Protections:

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act:

This law makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, according to Equal Rights Advocates and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Equal Pay Act:
This act requires employers to provide equal pay for equal work, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

Impact on Career Advancement: Bias can hinder women's progress and limit their earning potential, SHRM
Everyone, regardless of gender, is protected from sex discrimination under Title VII. The Equal Pay Act requires employers to give male and female employees equal pay for equal work. This means that employers have to pay men and women equally for doing substantially the same work at the same workplace.

Access To Reproductive Healthcare

Access to reproductive healthcare in the US is a complex and evolving issue, heavily influenced by state laws and policies. While the federal government plays a role in providing funding and guidance, the vast majority of reproductive healthcare regulations are determined at the state level. This has led to significant disparities in access, with some states offering broad protections for reproductive rights, while others have enacted strict restrictions on abortion and other reproductive services.

Factors Affecting Access:

State Laws:

The most significant factor is the legal landscape in each state. States with restrictive laws may have limited access to abortion, require mandatory waiting periods, or restrict coverage for certain reproductive services.

Geographic Location:

Rural and underserved areas may face challenges in accessing reproductive healthcare due to a shortage of providers and limited transportation options.

Socioeconomic Status:

Low-income individuals may face barriers to accessing affordable reproductive healthcare, including birth control and abortion services.

Insurance Coverage:

The availability and coverage of reproductive health services through insurance plans vary widely, with some plans excluding abortion or limiting access to other services.

Discrimination and Stigma:

Individuals from marginalized communities, including people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and immigrants, may face additional barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare due to discrimination and stigma.

Provider Shortages:

Some areas, particularly rural areas, may struggle with a shortage of providers, making it difficult to find healthcare professionals who can provide reproductive services.

Current Challenges:

Restrictions on Abortion:

Many states have implemented new restrictions or bans on abortion in the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

Impact on Maternal Health:

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Restrictions on abortion can have a negative impact on maternal health, increasing the risk of complications and mortality, especially among women of color.

Challenges for Young People:

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Access to comprehensive sex education and reproductive health services for youth is also a concern, with some states limiting or restricting such programs.

Impact on Infertility Treatment:

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Disparities in access to effective treatment for infertility exist, with socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors playing a role.

Moving Forward:

Efforts to codify abortion rights at the federal level and expand access to reproductive healthcare are ongoing, with potential for significant changes in the future.
- Federal Legislation:
  
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State-Level Advocacy:

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Advocates continue to work at the state level to protect and expand reproductive rights, pushing for legislation that removes barriers to access.

Community-Based Solutions:

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Community organizations and clinics play a vital role in providing reproductive healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas.

Public Awareness:

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Raising public awareness about reproductive health issues and the importance of access to comprehensive care is crucial

Economic Inequality (not limited to just women)

Economic inequality in the United States refers to the unequal distribution of income and wealth across different segments of the population. This inequality is evident in both income, which is earnings, and wealth, which is total net worth. The U.S. has high levels of income and wealth inequality compared to other industrialized nations.

Key Aspects of Economic Inequality in the U.S.:

Income Inequality:

The gap between the highest and lowest earners is significant, with the wealthiest individuals accumulating a disproportionate share of total income. For instance, in 2021, the top 10% of households by wealth held nearly 70% of U.S. wealth, while the bottom 50% held about 2.5%.

Wealth Inequality:

Wealth inequality is even more pronounced than income inequality, meaning the gap in net worth between the rich and poor is wider.

Historical Trends:

Income and wealth inequality in the U.S. have been rising since the 1970s, with the concentration of wealth at the very top increasing over the past 35 years.

Causes:

Factors contributing to economic inequality include executive compensation increases relative to average worker wages, financialization, increased industry concentration, lower unionization rates, changes in technology that reward higher education, and differences in effective tax rates.

Geographic Inequality:

Geographic income inequality has also been on the rise, with variation in average income across different locations increasing over the past few decades.

Impacts:

Economic inequality can have various economic and political consequences, including slower GDP growth, reduced income mobility, higher poverty rates, and political polarization.

Examples of Inequality:

In 2016, the average income of the lowest quintile was $15,600, while the highest quintile was $280,300.

The top 1% had an average income of $1.8 million, about 30 times the income of the middle quintile.

In 2021, the bottom 50% of families owned about 2.5% of U.S. wealth.

The top 10% of families controlled nearly 70% of wealth in 2022.

The top 1% of families in the U.S. had an average income of $1,316,985 in 2020, while the bottom 99% had an average income of $50,107, resulting in a ratio of 26.3x.

In the U.S., women experience economic inequality, primarily through a gender pay gap, where women earn less than men, and through a significant gender wealth gap, where women's families own less wealth than men's. This inequality has a lasting impact on women's lifetime earnings, family income, and can contribute to higher poverty rates.

Gender Pay Gap:

In 2022, women earned approximately 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.

While the gap has narrowed slightly over the past few decades, it persists across various age groups and racial/ethnic groups.

Women in certain age groups, like 35 to 44 and 45 to 54, experience even greater disparities.

The imbalance is particularly pronounced for women of color.

Gender Wealth Gap:

The gender wealth gap is significantly larger than the gender pay gap.
Families headed by women have about 55 cents in median wealth for every dollar owned by families headed by men.
This gap is even more pronounced when considering race/ethnicity and marital status.

Factors Contributing to Economic Inequality:

Segregation into low-paying work: Women are disproportionately represented in lower-paying jobs.

Gender stereotypes: Societal expectations and biases can influence career choices and workplace opportunities.

Lack of affordable childcare and family caregiving responsibilities: These burdens disproportionately fall on women, impacting their employment and earnings.

Inadequate social safety net: Policies and programs may not adequately address the needs of women in poverty.

Workplace discrimination and harassment: These can affect women's career advancement and earnings.

Historical legacy of slavery and racist economic policies: These factors have contributed to disparities in wealth and income across racial groups, including women.

Racial Justice

Racial justice for women in the US involves addressing the intersection of racism and sexism, acknowledging that women of color face unique challenges and inequalities in various aspects of life. This includes disparities in education, employment, healthcare, and the justice system, as well as the impact of policies like redlining and incarceration on women of color.

Key areas of focus in racial justice for women:

Intersectionality:

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Recognizing that gender, race, and other social identities intersect to create unique experiences of discrimination and oppression.

Structural Inequality:

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Addressing systemic barriers and policies that perpetuate racial and gender disparities, such as in education, employment, and the criminal justice system.

Economic Justice:

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Working to close the racial and gender pay gaps, ensuring access to economic resources, and addressing the disproportionate impact of poverty on women of color.

Reproductive Justice:

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Ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, including abortion and contraception, without discrimination.

Criminal Justice Reform:

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Advocating for policies that reduce racial profiling, address mass incarceration, and prioritize community-based solutions.

Voting Rights:

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Protecting the right to vote and challenging discriminatory practices that suppress the participation of women of color.

Mental Health Support:

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Addressing the disparities in access to mental health care for women of color and providing resources for their well-being.

Advocacy and Activism:

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Supporting organizations and movements that are fighting for racial and gender justice.

Examples of organizations working on racial justice for women:

Constitutional Equality

Constitutional Equality:

The lack of an Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution means that women's rights are not explicitly protected, making them vulnerable to discrimination and abuse.
This lack of constitutional safeguards makes it more difficult to defend laws that protect women's rights

Aging

Policies affecting aging women encompass a wide range, primarily concerning economic security, health, and work-related issues. These policies aim to address the unique challenges faced by women as they age, including income disparities, healthcare access, and discrimination in the workplace.

Economic Security:

Retirement Policies:

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Policies like the Retirement Earnings Test (RET) and Social Security claiming strategies can disproportionately impact older women, particularly those who work part-time or have shorter work histories.

Financial Literacy and Consumer Protections:

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Ensuring access to financial literacy programs and robust consumer protections can help women manage their finances and avoid financial exploitation, which is a significant concern for older adults, especially women.

Income Support Programs:

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Access to low-income benefits, pensions, and other retirement income sources is crucial for ensuring the economic security of older women, especially those with limited savings or employment history.

Health:

Policies ensuring access to affordable and quality healthcare, including Medicare, Medicaid, and home and community-based services, are vital for older women's health.

Healthcare Access and Affordability:

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Long-Term Services and Supports:

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Expanding access to long-term care and support services, such as home health, assisted living, and nursing homes, is crucial for women who may need help with daily activities due to age-related health conditions.

Caregiver Support:

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Policies that support caregivers, who are often women, are essential for helping them balance caregiving responsibilities with their own needs and well-being.

Work-Related Issues:

Age Discrimination:

Strengthening protections against age discrimination in the workplace is important for ensuring that older women have equal opportunities for employment and advancement.

Skills-Based Hiring:

Encouraging skills-based hiring practices can help older women who may have a gap in their employment history to find new opportunities.

Retirement Transition Programs:

Providing support and resources for older women who are transitioning out of the workforce can help them make a smooth transition and maintain their well-being.

Intersectionality:

Race and Ethnicity:

Policies should consider the unique challenges faced by older women of color, who may experience additional barriers related to income, healthcare access, and employment.
Disability:

Policies should address the needs of older women with disabilities, who may require additional support for healthcare, long-term care, and employment.
Gender Identity:

Policies should also address the needs of older women who identify as LGBTQ+, who may face discrimination in healthcare and social services.

Obstacles For Women Seeking Political Office

Women seeking political office face a multitude of obstacles, including financial challenges, societal expectations, and structural barriers within political parties and institutions. These obstacles can significantly limit their ability to run, campaign, and succeed in politics.

Here's a more detailed look at the challenges:

1. Financial Barriers:

Campaign costs:

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Women often face difficulties in raising funds for their campaigns, which can be a significant hurdle, according to UNESCWA.
Unequal access to funding networks:

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Women may have less access to traditional political networks that provide financial support, according to the Pew Research Center.
Low salaries and opportunity cost:

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The low salaries of public office and the potential loss of income from private sector jobs can be a deterrent for women, especially those with family responsibilities, according to a study by Rutgers University.

2. Societal Expectations and Perceptions:

"More to prove":

Women often face the expectation of having to demonstrate more to prove their competence and suitability for leadership positions, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.

Scrutiny of appearance and personality:

Female candidates may face more scrutiny of their physical appearance and personality than male candidates, according to a study by A10 Associates.

Work-family conflict:

Balancing family responsibilities with the demands of a political career can be challenging, according to a study by Rutgers University.

Voters not being ready:

Some individuals may believe that voters are not ready to elect women to high political offices, according to the Pew Research Center.

Negative campaigning and attacks:

Women may be more discouraged by the negativity and personal attacks that often accompany political campaigns, according to a study by A10 Associates.

3. Structural Barriers within Political Institutions:

Party bias:

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Party leaders may prefer male candidates, potentially limiting women's access to nominations and resources, according to a study by the FREE Network.

Lack of support from party leaders:

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Women may receive less support from party leaders than their male counterparts, according to a study by the Pew Research Center.

Discriminatory laws and institutions:

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Some laws and institutional structures may disadvantage women in political life, according to UN Women

Lack Of Women In Leadership

Women are significantly underrepresented in leadership positions across various sectors in the United States, including business, politics, and academia. While progress has been made, women often face barriers like unconscious bias, work-life balance challenges, and a lack of mentorship, hindering their advancement.

Key Factors Contributing to the Underrepresentation:

Gender Bias:

Unconscious biases and discriminatory practices can lead to women being overlooked for promotions and leadership opportunities.

Work-Life Balance Challenges:

Long hours, demanding work environments, and limited flexibility can make it difficult for women to balance career aspirations with family responsibilities, especially for those who are mothers.

Lack of Mentorship and Role Models:

A lack of female mentors and role models in leadership positions can limit women's exposure to leadership opportunities and make it harder for them to envision themselves in such roles.

"Broken Rung":

The difficulty women face in transitioning from individual contributor to manager roles can create a bottleneck that impacts their overall advancement.

Unfair Expectations:

Women may be held to higher standards than men and may need to prove themselves more to gain recognition and leadership opportunities.

Lack of Inclusive Culture:

Some organizations have a culture that is not conducive to women's advancement, which can create barriers to their leadership potential.

Personal Mindset:

Some women may lack confidence or be hesitant to take risks, which can lead them to pass up opportunities to advance their careers.

Specific Examples:

Business:

Women hold roughly one-quarter of senior management or leadership roles in the U.S., despite making up nearly half of the workforce.

Politics:

Women make up only 28% of all officeholders in the U.S. Congress, despite representing 50.5% of the population.

Higher Education:

Women are underrepresented in leadership positions at top-ranked universities, even though they earn more PhDs than men.

Addressing the Issue:

Promote Inclusion and Diversity:

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Organizations can foster inclusive cultures that value diverse perspectives and experiences, which can lead to a more equitable representation of women in leadership.

Implement Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs:

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Providing women with access to mentors and sponsors can help them build their networks, gain confidence, and advance their careers.

Address Unconscious Bias:

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Training programs and initiatives that address unconscious biases can help create a more level playing field for women in the workplace.

Promote Flexible Work Arrangements:

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Offering flexible work arrangements can help women balance their career aspirations with family responsibilities.

Increase Representation at All Levels:

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Efforts to increase the representation of women at all levels of the organization, from entry-level positions to senior leadership roles, can help create a more inclusive pipeline for women.

Social Norms And Cultural Practices

In the US, societal norms and cultural practices significantly impact women, influencing their roles, expectations, and opportunities across various aspects of life, including education, employment, and family dynamics. These norms can perpetuate gender inequality and impact women's overall well-being.

Traditional Gender Roles:

Nurturing and Caregiving:

Women are often expected to be nurturing, emotionally supportive, and responsible for household duties, including childcare and caregiving for family members.

Domesticity:

Traditional gender roles often limit women's opportunities and expectations in the workplace, emphasizing domesticity and childcare over career aspirations.

Appearance and Behavior:

Women are frequently pressured to adhere to specific beauty standards and behaviors, which can negatively impact their self-esteem and mental health.

Employment and Economics:

Pay Gap:

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Women generally earn less than men for similar work, contributing to financial disparities and limiting their economic opportunities.

Underrepresentation in Leadership:

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Women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the workforce, facing challenges in advancing to higher-level roles.
Caregiving Responsibilities:

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Women often shoulder a disproportionate share of caregiving responsibilities, which can affect their career choices and economic security.
Health and Well-being:

Maternal Mortality:

The US has a high rate of maternal mortality compared to other developed countries, highlighting health inequities for women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Violence Against Women:

Women face a higher risk of violence, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and sexual assault, compared to men.

Mental Health:

The pressure to conform to societal expectations and the burden of traditional gender roles can contribute to mental health challenges for women.

Cultural Practices:

Socialization:

From a young age, girls are socialized to believe in traditional gender roles, which can limit their aspirations and choices.

Media Representation:

Media often portrays women in stereotypical roles, reinforcing gender norms and limiting their visibility in diverse areas.

Family and Community Norms:

Family and community expectations can reinforce traditional gender roles, influencing women's behaviors and choices.

Addressing Gender Inequality:

Challenging Stereotypes:

Efforts to challenge gender stereotypes and promote a more equitable society are crucial for empowering women and fostering gender equality.

Investing in Education:

Providing equal access to education and promoting STEM fields for girls and women can help them gain more opportunities in the workforce.

Supporting Caregiving:

Implementing policies that support both men and women in their caregiving roles can help reduce gender disparities in the workplace.

Combating Violence:

Addressing violence against women requires comprehensive strategies, including prevention programs and support services for victims.

By understanding the impact of societal norms and cultural practices on women, individuals, communities, and policymakers can work together to create a more just and equitable society for all.

Keisha N. Blain teaches history at the University of Pittsburgh and currently serves as president of the African American Intellectual History Society. She is author of Set the World on Fire: Black Nationalist Women and the Global Struggle for Freedom (2018) and co-editor of several books, including To Turn The Whole World Over: Black Women and Internationalism (2019).

The biggest challenge facing women in the United States today is patriarchy. This is especially evident in the realm of politics. Regardless of a woman’s experience, education or abilities, the patriarchal nature of U.S. society fosters the perception that women are less qualified and less competent than men. What patriarchy has done is convince people that a strong and intelligent woman represents a problem; a disruption to the social order rather than an integral part of it. Biased media coverage of women politicians—stories that focus on women’s fashion and looks at the expense of their ideas on policy—underscores this point. It is therefore no coincidence that the U.S. is completely out of step with the rest of the world when it comes to electing a woman as president. While women have maintained the highest office of leadership in Liberia, India, the United Kingdom, Dominica and many other nations across the globe, the same cannot be said for the United States.

From a global perspective, one of the biggest challenges facing women is educational inequality. Despite the many gains of modern feminist movements in the Americas, Africa, Asia and beyond, many still believe that women are less worthy of the same educational opportunities afforded to men. While there is no denying that poverty, geography and other factors contribute to huge disparities in education, patriarchy justifies this denial of opportunity. It feeds the message that men should wield the power and women should occupy a subordinate position in all areas of society. This outdated, yet persistent, point of view fuels educational inequality and a host of other disparities along the lines of gender on national and international levels.

Patriarchy

Food Insecurity

Nearly 24 per cent of women and girls are expected to experience moderate to severe food insecurity by 2030. Empowering women in food and agricultural systems by enhancing access to land and resources is vital for ensuring food security and economic growth.

Trauma-Centered Feminism

Christina Hoff Sommers is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. She is the author of several books including Who Stole Feminism? and The War Against Boys. She co-hosts The Femsplainers. Follow her @Chsommers.

The threat of harm is a human constant, but by any reasonable measure, American women are among the safest, freest, healthiest, most opportunity-rich women on Earth. In many ways, we are not just doing as well as men, we are surpassing them. But everywhere, especially on college campuses, young women are being taught that they are vulnerable, fragile and in imminent danger. A new trauma-centered feminism has taken hold. Its primary focus is not equality with men—but rather protection from them. This past June, the Reuters Foundation released a survey announcing that the U.S. was one of the top 10 most dangerous countries in the world for women—more dangerous than even Iran or North Korea. The study was ludicrously flawed and turned out to be a survey of “perceptions” of unnamed “experts.” But in the current environment of fear and panic, multiple news organizations reported the absurd findings. This new ethic of fear and fragility is poisonous and debilitating—but it’s gaining ground. American women should resist the urge to pretend the world is rigged against us when it is not.

The picture is different in the developing world. In countries like Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia and Egypt women are contending with practices such as honor killings, genital mutilation, acid burnings, child marriage and gender apartheid. However, there is good news. The number of educated women in these countries has reached critical mass and they are making their presence felt. Wajeha Al-Huwaider has been called the “Rosa Parks of Saudi Arabia.” In 2008, she created an international sensation by posting a video of herself driving a car. Until a few months ago, women were not allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia. Because of women like her, the laws are beginning to change. Dr. Hawa Abdi, a 71-year-old Somalian doctor and lawyer, is said to be “equal parts Mother Teresa and Rambo.” She founded a hospital and refugee camp in rural Somalia that offers a safe space to nearly 100,000 of the world’s most imperiled men, women and children. Under her leadership, the settlement is evolving into a model civil society. The challenges facing women in the developing world are daunting. But for the first time in history, a formidable army of brave and resolute women is on the march.

Access To Equal Opportunity

Ertharin Cousin is distinguished fellow of Global Food and Agriculture at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the former executive director of the United Nations World Food Program.

As the former executive director of the World Food Program I was often humbled by women in conflict or crisis situations who, when asked about their needs, wanted nothing for themselves but asked that we educate their daughters. Education, these mothers believed, would provide their daughters with opportunities they, because of their gender, were denied. Unfortunately, even with adequate education, women here in the United States as well as women across much of the world still lack equal access to opportunity.

Despite decades of notable progress, at home and abroad, a reality in which opportunities are not defined by gender has yet to be universally achieved. Even more disconcerting, in too many places around the globe, women exercising or even seeking their basic rights is interpreted as a direct and destabilizing challenge to existing power structures. Some regimes are now trying to roll back the hard-won rights of women and girls. For this reason, today I join the voices of women leaders from around the world demanding governments, the private sector and civil society reinvigorate and reinvest in the policies as well as in the legal and social frameworks that will achieve worldwide gender equality and inclusion.

Here in the U.S. we recently elected a record number of new congressional representatives. In other parts of the world, political forces threaten to erode the progress that we have made at both the national level and through landmark global agendas. Whether these forces succeed will depend on whether women leaders and advocates of today and tomorrow, and all who stand with them, recognize the urgency and peril of inaction. Mothers and fathers whether in South Sudan or the South Side of Chicago, are doing their part to demand quality education for their daughters. It is up to women leaders and advocates, including the newly minted congressional leaders, many of whom benefit from past collective effort and stand upon the shoulders of so many, to push and hold wide open the doors of opportunity. Ensuring every woman and girl a possibility to lead life to her fullest potential.

Increasing Rates Of Maternal Mortality

Daina Ramey Berry is the Oliver H. Radkey Regents Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and co-author of the forthcoming, A Black Women’s History of the United States (Beacon, 2020).

One of the greatest challenges women in the U.S. and women throughout the world face today are increasing rates of maternal mortality. According to the World Health Organization, 830 women die every day from “preventable causes related to pregnancy.” These statistics are even more staggering in developing countries and among women of color in the United States. Black women in particular are the most affected, dying at a ratio of 25.1 deaths per 100,000. According to the Journal of Perinatal Education, the rates for black women did not improve between 1980 and 1990, and these rates are not much better today. Some believe such disparities occur because of a racially divided society in which black women experience higher levels of stress and marginalization causing many of their health concerns to go unrecognized. This leads to untimely and preventable deaths.

Legal Barriers And Poorly Enforced Legislation

At least 28 countries do not have laws granting women equal rights to enter marriage and initiate divorce, and 67 countries lack laws prohibiting direct and indirect discrimination against women. Where legislation does exist to promote gender equality, effective implementation remains a challenge.

Lack Of Access To Clean Energy And Sanitation

An estimated 341 million women and girls are projected to lack electricity by 2030. Universal access could significantly reduce poverty and improve women’s health.

With just five years remaining to achieve the 2030 targets, concerted efforts and funding are more necessary than ever. Each step forward, no matter how incremental, brings us closer to a future where gender equality is not just a goal, but a reality.

A Campaign To Normalize Misogyny

Neera Tanden is president of the Center for American Progress.

The greatest challenge confronting women in America is a campaign to normalize misogyny and take women’s rights backward. It starts with a president who has a long track record of making disgusting and demeaning statements about women. Perhaps even worse, his administration has translated these attitudes into concrete action. For example, despite the rise of the MeToo movement, the Department of Education has actually introduced measures to provide greater protections for college students accused of committing sexual harassment and assault by undermining Title IX. President Donald Trump has also hurt working women and their families by suspending a federal rule designed to close the gender pay gap, introduced significant restrictions on reproductive freedom, and threatened the future of Roe v. Wade by nominating Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.

On the global front, perhaps the most important issue for the international community is empowering the voices of women. Right now, women and young girls everywhere face an immense range of challenges—from the inability to access food, education and employment to the threat of gender-based violence. Their perspectives and experiences must help shape our collective future. If we want to forge the best solutions for expanding peace and security moving forward, then we need to give smart, dynamic and strong women a seat at the decision-making table—both here at home and around the world.

The Economy Is Not Working For Women

Elizabeth Warren is a Democratic U.S. senator from Massachusetts. She ran for president in 2020...

Women are the primary or joint breadwinners for a majority of American households. But right now, this economy and our government is not working for them and their families. Today, a woman earns 80 cents for every dollar a man earns, and the pay gap is even worse for black and Latina women. Wages are barely budging in this country but the cost of child care has gone up so much that it’s now more expensive than in-state college tuition in most states—making it harder for women and men to work if they want to. Reproductive rights have been under relentless attack even though we know that access to safe abortion services is critical to the health and economic futures of millions of women.

These core economic issues are a huge burden on women and their families. More young women go to college than men, but unequal pay makes it harder for them to pay back student loans. More women are minimum-wage workers than men, but the minimum wage no longer keeps a mom and her baby out of poverty. I don’t even want to think about how many women—and men —have been sidelined from a bright future because they couldn’t find a decent child care option for their kid. We’ve got to make this economy work for women and families all across this country.

10 Lessons from Erased: A History of International Thought Without Men by Patricia Owens

1. Women's Foundational Contributions

Women played pivotal roles in the early development of international relations (IR), serving as scholars, journalists, and public intellectuals. Their work significantly shaped the field's foundations.

2. Mechanisms of Erasure

Despite their contributions, women's roles were marginalized and eventually erased due to institutional practices of misogyny and racism within academic and policy-making circles.

3. Interdisciplinary Approaches

The exclusion of women led to a narrower, less interdisciplinary IR field. Women often integrated history, law, anthropology, and political theory into their analyses, enriching the discipline.

4. Impact of Institutional Redefinition

The redefinition of IR as a distinct discipline, separate from its constituent fields, facilitated the marginalization of diverse perspectives, particularly those of women and people of color.

5. Critical Engagement with Empire and Race

Women scholars addressed pressing issues like empire, colonialism, decolonization, and race, topics often overlooked by their male counterparts.

6. Diverse Intellectual Perspectives

The women highlighted in Owens' work held varied political and ideological views, demonstrating that diversity in thought enriches academic disciplines.

7. Importance of Archival Research

Owens' extensive archival research uncovers the contributions of these forgotten women, emphasizing the need for diligent historical scholarship to achieve a comprehensive understanding of any field.

8. Consequences of Homogeneous Narratives

The exclusion of women and minority voices has led to a limited understanding of international relations, underscoring the importance of inclusive narratives.

9. Reevaluating Disciplinary Boundaries

The book challenges rigid disciplinary boundaries, advocating for a more integrated approach to studying international relations that includes diverse methodologies and perspectives.

10. Pathways to Renewal

Recognizing and reintegrating the contributions of marginalized groups can revitalize and enrich the field of international relations, leading to a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of global dynamics.

By acknowledging these lessons, scholars and practitioners can work towards a more inclusive and representative discipline that values all contributors' diverse perspectives and experiences.

BOOK: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691266442/erased

You can also get FREE Audiobook using the same link use the link to register Audible and start enjoying it

Women Empowerment Guided Meditation
For All The Ladies
Cis gendered & Trans Gendered
May we all stand proudly, and confidently in our sovereignty ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Action You Can Take!

Attacks on our rights, lives, and communities continue every week as Congress, the Trump administration, and MAGA supporters target essential services like healthcare for women, poor folks, and transgender people.

Since Trump took office his administration has attacked gender-affirming care and other vital services for LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender and non-binary folks. We have taken to the streets to demand that hospitals Do Not Comply with these unconstitutional, anti-trans attacks. Next week our Arizona chapter is holding a Feminist Speak Out at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital to demand they reinstate gender-affirming care for trans youth - chip in to support the action.

Write a Letter to Demand the Trump Administration Rescind the Anti-Trans Executive Orders

Last week anti-choice activists and politicians began calling for the FDA to review and limit the ways that people can access medication abortion by targeting the abortion pill Mifepristone with bogus junk science from a conservative thinktank. Medication abortion currently accounts for more than 60% of all abortions in the US. In addition to these rhetorical attacks, over the weekend a man bombed an IVF clinic in Palm Springs, CA - further increasing the fear and discomfort of people seeking reproductive care during this time.

These attacks on specific abortion, reproductive, and gender affirming services come as Republicans in Congress are targeting Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security for major budget cuts that will severely reduce services for poor people, elderly folks, children, and families. All of these attacks are connected and represent current conservative political desires to stop caring for our communities in order to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy while eliminating and privatizing life-saving care.

Now is the time to take action, organize with members of your community, advocate for feminist care, and support feminist youth organizing as we educate, activate, and mobilize the next generation of feminist leaders fighting for gender justice.

Help With Womens Healthcare

Organizations To Reach Out To

SAMUEL ALITO'S MOM'S SATANIC ABORTION CLINIC™

Samuel Alito's Mom's Satanic Abortion Clinic™ is an online clinic that provides religious medication abortion care. The clinic provides abortion medication via mail to those in New Mexico who wish to perform The Satanic Temple's Religious Abortion Ritual.

Planned Parenthood

lanned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA) works to protect and expand access to sexual and reproductive health care and education, and provides support to its member affiliates. Planned Parenthood affiliates are separately incorporated public charities that operate health centers across the U.S. as trusted sources of health care and education for people of all genders in communities across the country. PPFA is tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3) - EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.

The Center For Reproductive Rights

The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization of attorneys and advocates working to ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person.

Free the Pill Coalition

The Free the Pill coalition is a group of more than 250 reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, research and advocacy groups, youth activists, health care providers, prominent medical and health professional associations, and others who share a commitment to ensuring more equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable birth control to people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in the United States. Coalition members support over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills that are affordable, fully covered by insurance, and available to people of all ages. To express their commitment, coalition members sign on to our statement of purpose.

The coalition (formerly known as the Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group) has been working since 2004 to build the evidence in support of OTC birth control pills in the United States. Housed at Ibis Reproductive Health, a global research organization, the coalition’s activities are guided by a steering committee of individuals representing research, health, and advocacy communities.

MV5BZWM1ZTM4YTctYTcyMi00MGRjLWEwMGUtZmZkNjY3MDcwOTQyXkEyXkFqcGc_._V1_.jpg

Bedsider

From birth control info to sex tips, we’ve got you covered.

Reproductive Health Access Project

The Reproductive Health Access Project (RHAP) trains, supports, and mobilizes primary care clinicians to ensure equitable access to sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. By centering communities most impacted by barriers to care, RHAP fills critical gaps in clinical education and care delivery.

...Or Should ...And CAN
So Let's Help Them Get There!!
and at the very least, let's help give them a world they can thrive in, be respected in and be comfortable living in.

Links & Resources

Pussyhat Project

Knit Activism for women's rights. We began with the Women's March on Washington, D.C. January 21, 2017.

Pussyhat Project

9 ways men can become allies for equal rights

Gender equality and women’s rights are not just women’s issues, they are human rights issues. Women fight for their rights every day everywhere. But to achieve an equal world for all, men should question the power dynamics in their actions and words and take responsibility for change.

Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is about challenging the patriarchal beliefs, practices, institutions, and structures that drive inequality between men and women. It also requires men and boys to take responsibility for change, be engaged as gender advocates, and question the power dynamics in their actions and their words.

Click Below For 9 ways for men to support and be actively involved in women’s rights.

100 Men For Gender Equality
Workplace Allies

Now, more than ever, we need male allies like you to help us create a more equitable economy where everyone can thrive!

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island is now in its third decade of advancing gender equity and advocating for progressive thought and action in our state. Every day we hear from people who truly have no idea that the playing field is so uneven for men and women. For instance, many people are unaware that:

Women make up over 90% of the paid care workforce (childcare, home health care, nursing aides, etc.) in Rhode Island, yet the vast majority of them make less than $15 an hour – and they have little or no access to benefits such as paid sick/family leave or the ability to work from home.
Women make up 64% of employees in our state’s 40 lowest-paying jobs. 40% are the sole breadwinners for their families, and 3 million women have already left the workforce.
Only 1.9% of US-based charitable giving is directed at women and girls.

Gender and race bias exists, and in far more ways than most people realize. WFRI works to make everyone – male and female alike – understand those gender barriers still exist – most especially for BIPOC women. We call for our male allies to stand with us, challenging gender and racial biases and helping us pave the way for gender equity.

We hope you’ll join the hundreds of men in Rhode Island who are making a difference.

Thank you for joining us in supporting the women and girls in your life!

100 Men For Gender Equality

9 ways men can become allies for equal rights

You may have heard the news - right now, extremists in Congress are trying to cut a potential $880 BILLION from Medicaid, and anti-abortion lawmakers are trying to defund Planned Parenthood too.

More than two-thirds of all adults in the United States have some connection to Medicaid.

Medicaid covers one in five of all Americans - that’s:

18 million women
Half of all children in the United States
1.2 million LGBTQ adults
One in four births

And of those women covered by Medicaid? One in ten women have received reproductive care at a Planned Parenthood Clinic.

Because of racist abortion-coverage bans that are already in place, Medicaid dollars and federal funding can’t even go toward abortion care. So instead of working to expand access, these politicians are doubling down by defunding clinics where more than 2 million people get basic care.

The basic care they’re coming after? Cancer screenings, STI testing and treatments, and contraceptives.

But it’s not too late to fight back and the pressure is working. The Committee in charge of funding for Medicaid has already had to push back their meeting to next week, and even conservative lawmakers are publicly saying they aren’t comfortable defunding Planned Parenthood.

Why? Because people like you are calling and emailing your representative.

Join All* Above All in calling on Congress to oppose these cuts and to protect Planned Parenthood. Click here to send a letter to your representative asking them to vote NO on any budget that slashes Medicaid.

STOP MEDICAID CUT

The Reproductive Freedom Alliance is a nonpartisan coalition of 23 Governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom.

Where Women Have No Doctor
A health guide for women

Michelle Obama:
As women, we haven't always been given the opportunities to make decisions about our own lives – and we’re still fighting to do so today. Craig and I had a great conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross about dating, reproductive rights, and more during the latest episode of IMO Podcast. Watch now on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=99yfq5LRaTQ or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Just The Headlines

‘Why Does Dismantling Pronatalism Even Matter?’ Jody Day interviewed on New Legacy Community Radio [June 2022]

Excluded from policy measures and absent in DEI frameworks, even where laws and policies are designed to prevent discrimination based on family status, pronatalism is so deeply engrained in our social, professional and systemic psyches, that its impact remains unacknowledged. As a result, non-parents remain invisible, while navigating daily and life-long experiences of exclusion and inequity.

From our own internalized patriarchal, pronatalist influences, to the ways we continue to cope and mitigate social and professional spaces that do not account for us, it can be challenging for people without children to express why the urgency to dismantle pronatalism matters.

How do we begin to unravel the embedded layers of cultural, structural and systemic norms that continue to re-enforce the social devaluation of approximately one-quarter of the global population?

What is needed to acknowledge the population that is, rather than the one that is theorized, based on marriage and children, to create measurable predictability, as economic units?

Join us for a revealing, in-depth conversation with Jody Day. We will explore new perspectives around the question of why the deeply adverse impact of pronatalism matters and why the inclusion of non-parents remains a silent issue within the workplace & beyond.

Pronatalism and women's equality policies

Pronatalism, as an ideology, can mean many different things. In its worst version it is associated with imperialism, racism, eugenism, reinforcement of traditional family structures where the man is the income generator and the women is economically dependent. This version gives women severe limitation of reproductive choices and a selective combination of strong pronatalism for some and strong anti-natalism for others. In its best version, it is associated with policies supporting women's emancipation by making the role of mother more compatible with the role as income generator, and state assistance for families with children. According to McIntosh there are 4 barriers to creating and installing pronatalist policies: 1) lack of public demand, 2) distinct limits to government's ability to finance all of the public services and cash benefits, 3) doubts about the efficacy of financial incentives as a means of encouraging women to have more children, 4) a weak nationalist rationale.

Trump wants a baby boom. But is his ‘pronatalism’ agenda missing the point?

Any discussion on increasing birth rate that doesn't begin with subsidized or free childcare is only going to result in women leaving the workforce and losing financial independence--

The Enduring Grip of the Gender Pay Gap

Scientific Proof That Support For Trump Is Driven By Anger At Women

In arguably the least surprising news of this election cycle, a new survey has found that sexism is a major predictor of support for Donald Trump.

Estimated 4.2 Million Women And Girls Faced Unintended Pregnancies Due To Trump Aid Cuts

Deep reductions in USAID funding have had devastating consequences across the globe, according to modeled estimates from the Guttmacher Institute.

Trump's War on Women

Raise your hand if you are tired of politics. In the United States, we are well on our way through the 2016 elections and frankly it is not looking good. Is anyone else stressed, or is it just me? I consider myself moderate in my political views.

The Implications Of A Trump Presidency On Women

Jan 18, 2017, 01:36 PM EST
|Updated Jan 18, 2017

What Trump’s first 100 days mean for America’s women

At a rally in November 2024, Donald Trump told the women of America that whether they “like it or not, I’m going to protect them”. And in his first 100 days as president, Trump has taken his role in a direction that leans into the most traditional form of patriarchy – a protector who knows what is best for women despite their demands to the contrary.

In his leadership of the Republican party and his administration – and, crucially, in the executive orders he has issued – Trump has often tried to suggest women are at the forefront of his agenda. But rather than protecting women’s interests, these orders are setting back their rights at an alarming rate.

On his first day back in the White House, the government website offering reproductive health information was taken offline. Since then, the Department of Health and Human Services has removed all mention of abortion protection policies and the Department of Justice has dropped the Biden administration’s lawsuit against Idaho, over its near-total abortion ban.

Continued...

The Trump Administration Wants to Take Away Women's Rights

Healthcare for women, our rights, and our communities are facing unprecedented attacks.

Despite the fact that birth control is essential health care and the key to women’s economic and social advancement, the Trump administration is hell-bent on getting rid of access to it.

The Trump Administration’s First Actions in 2025 Targeting Patients, Providers, and Reproductive Health Care Access

In his first week in office, President Trump betrayed his campaign promises on reproductive health care, taking direct aim at access to abortion and birth control. He issued two executive orders and took other actions that roll back efforts to protect and advance access to abortion and birth control, and that threaten health care providers across the country...

Trump presidency: despite millions on women’s marches many ‘fear rights won over years are in jeopardy’

Yola Verbruggen

Though millions took to the streets across the world in women’s marches, President Trump took the first opportunity to show that he was not about to bow to the protestors.
On 24 January, just days after his inauguration, he reinstated the 'global gag rule', thereby withdrawing funding for any organisations providing family planning counselling which includes abortion.
The rule divides Republicans and Democrats and, almost by matter of tradition, a new president either rescinds or reinstates the order depending on their party affiliation.
'Many women in the United States fear that rights they have won over the years are in jeopardy as a result of this election,' says Philip Berkowitz, Vice-Chair of the IBA’s Discrimination and Equality Law Committee.Continued....

Donald Trumps First 100 Days Of Project 2025 Harms To Women Girls And lgbtqi-people

Despite trying to distance himself from Project 2025 as a candidate, as president, Trump has moved quickly to implement the extreme agenda it outlined. The Project 2025 playbook is an anti-democratic, sexist, and ultraconservative blueprint for dismantling our rights and freedoms, with attacks on gender equity and civil rights being core themes throughout. In the first 100 days of Trump’s second term, he has attacked individual freedoms, kneecapped democratic institutions, defied court orders, and weaponized the federal government against political enemies. His administration has also worked to permanently dismantle as much of the federal government as possible by firing civil servants, illegally freezing funding that Congress appropriated, and shuttering entire agencies. These mass firings, spearheaded by unelected billionaire Elon Musk, follow the roadmap laid out in Project 2025 to rip apart the federal government.
In the midst of this destruction and chaos, the administration’s hostility toward gender equity has been a key part of its overall strategy. While claiming to act to “protect women,” the administration has moved quickly to advance an extremist and deeply harmful agenda that puts women and girls at risk.

Here's Exactly How Trump Has Hurt Women Thus Far

Trump didn’t stop at executive actions. He torpedoed support for women and working families in his initial budget proposal, too.

Here's What Trump Has Done For Women In His First 100 Days

Hint: A lot of bad stuff.

In One Year, Trump Dismantled Reproductive Rights Around The World

Women's health workers are already seeing the impact of Trump's policies

Trump’s Anti-Woman Cabinet: How It All Adds Up

In his first three days in office, President Trump cut off funding to all international health care groups that provide — or even refer or counsel women — on abortion. The impact of reinstating and expanding the Global Gag Rule will be to deny some of the world’s poorest women the health care they need. The president’s action will result in suffering and will have terrible consequences for women and children. That he was surrounded by a group of white men when he took this action only added insult to injury.
Without question, the optics were horrible. But this is about much more than optics. It’s about the Trump administration’s agenda — about a president who has appointed the least diverse cabinet — the whitest and most male cabinet — and the most anti-woman cabinet — in a generation. From gutting the Affordable Care Act to undermining reproductive health care to weakening workplace protections to opposing measures to stop sexual violence, Trump’s nominees have stood outside the mainstream and against the interests of women. Women must be vigilant and we must resist.

100 Days, 100 Ways the Trump
Administration Is Harming
Women and Families

Center For American Progress PDF
By Sunny Frothingham and Shilpa Ph

Trump’s policies threaten women’s rights everywhere. We won’t back down.

Donald Trump is once again the President of the United States.
We’re hearing from team members and partners around the world who are worried about what this will mean for the women we serve. Trump’s policies will severely impact sexual and reproductive rights across the globe — that is undeniable.
But MSI has stood strong for almost 50 years, providing abortion and contraception unapologetically, expanding access to life-changing services and collaborating with partners across the reproductive rights movement. We have persevered through hardship, push-backs and reversals of progress like these, and we — all of us together — continue to stand strong in our commitment to defend the right to choose.

How Far Will 8 Years of Trump Set Back American Women?

The president and his cronies are committed to rolling progress back to the Stone Age. The effects could outlast his second term.

Not Just More Babies: These Republicans Want More Parents at Home

As the Trump administration shrinks child care programs, Republicans are backing policies they hope will allow more parents to scale back at work. Senator Jim Banks of Indiana introduced a bill that would effectively pay stay-at-home parents. Other Republicans want to expand the child tax credit.

They may as well say it, they want women out of the work force.

PLUS, they want room for AI to take peoples jobs.

It’s not just more babies, Republicans are pushing idea one parent should ditch work and stay at home with the kids

The White House is considering policies to encourage parents to stay home with their children by potentially providing financial incentives and removing tax credits for day care.
Advocates argue that if families can spend less on housing, more of them will be able to live on a single income, but studies are unclear on whether children fare better at day care or at home with a parent.
While the White House is promoting traditional family values, many American families rely on two incomes to survive, with child care costs averaging $11,000 per child per year, leading to a debate on how best to support working parents.

Give birth? In this economy? US women scoff at Trump’s meager ‘baby bonuses’

Trump administration is considering pronatalist policies such as awarding $5,000 for every birth – but women say they want universal healthcare and cheaper childcare

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJkeLCZKiOn/

Baby bonuses and menstrual cycle classes are among the ideas pitched to President Trump’s aides as they consider plans to boost the birthrate.

After writing about this, Caroline Kitchener, a New York Times reporter who covers the American family, was inundated with emails and comments from readers with the same notion, what about child care?

Read more about what Republicans have been proposing at the link in bio. Video By Caroline Kitchener, Melanie Bencosme, Karen Hanley, Jon Hazell, Laura Salaberry, Whitney Shefte/The New York Times

Inside the Strategy: How Pro-Choice Governors Are Planning Ahead

Watch the conversation with Jessica Valenti and Christina Chang of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance

The Bad Data Backing Josh Hawley's Attack on Abortion Pills

A new study being used to call for mifepristone restrictions relies on vague and dubious definitions of drug-related complications.

Senator Hawley calls for FDA review of abortion drug mifepristone

.S. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary regarding new research indicating that the safety risks associated with the chemical abortion drug mifepristone are greater than currently acknowledged by the FDA. Senator Hawley urged Commissioner Makary to reconsider his stated decision not to take action on mifepristone in light of the new findings....

Texas Cops Are Tracking Abortion Patients With License Plate Data

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Criminalizing Care reports that Texas cops are using automated license plate readers to search for abortion patients. Democracy Denied has the latest from Missouri, where the state Supreme Court overturned the will of the people. In the States, news from Maine, Connecticut, Kentucky, Iowa, and more. Conservative Cruelty reports that Georgia Dems are demanding answers on Adriana Smith, and that Kansas women have brought a lawsuit over advance directives for pregnant people. In the Nation on Trump’s new judicial nominees and their wacky anti-abortion beliefs. Stats & Studies has new research showing mothers’ mental health is declining. And AED in the News shares an interview I did with Jane Coaston at What a Day.

Politics

Abortions stopped in Missouri again in wake of State Supreme Court ruling

Planned Parenthood halted abortions in Missouri on Tuesday after the state's top court ordered new rulings in the tumultuous legal saga over a ban that voters struck down last November.

What The SAVE Act Means For Voting Rights, Young Voters, And Women In The U.S.

On January 3, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility or SAVE Act was reintroduced to the United States House of Representatives. The proposed legislation requires individuals to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, to vote in federal elections or update their voter registration information. The Republican-controlled House voted in favor of the SAVE Act on April 10, prompting several voting rights organizations and groups to condemn the bill’s ruling and provide further context on its implications, especially to disenfranchised communities. According to the House’s decision, the SAVE Act is a solution to eliminating voter fraud, but despite its rescue-worthy title, it won’t save anything. In fact, it will do the exact opposite.

Women empowerment

Live for the people who genuinely matter to you and authentically wish you well, and most importantly for yourself. Ignore the rest. Believe in yourself and stand by what you feel is right. You have all the right to live your life the way you want to.

Emory Leads the Way in Women’s Empowerment Research

A recent report published by Women’s Studies International Forum ranked Emory University as the No. 1 most influential institution in women’s empowerment research. This recognition can be attributed to the fact that around one-third of the 47 core faculty members in the Hubert Department of Global Health have contributed to women’s empowerment research in some way, notes Usha Ramakrishnan, PhD, distinguished Richard N. Hubert professor and chair of the department.

Dismissed by DEI: Trump’s Purge Made Black Women With Stable Federal Jobs an “Easy Target”

The president’s attack on diversity efforts has derailed the government careers of highly educated civil servants — even though the jobs some lost were not directly involved with any DEI programs.

Do This: Empower Your Friends to Help Protect our Reproductive Rights

June 5, 2025 | Easy A, Reproductive Rights

We’ve spent the last two weeks learning about the ongoing threats to our reproductive freedom. These threats are particularly dangerous because extremists are intentionally trying to keep them under the radar. We’re not gonna let that happen!

We’ve just added a great new resource to our website called, “We Decide, Not Politicians.” It explains all the stuff we’ve shared with you here and teaches how to fight back!

There’s something here for anyone who’s ever needed, or thought about needing, any sort of reproductive healthcare. From birth control to IVF to miscarriage management to abortion care, we’re talking about all of it.

Use one of these easy, premade social media posts to share this information with your friends and family right now. Together we can shine a light on what these extremists are doing and make sure they stop taking away our reproductive rights. We decide what’s best for us and our families, not politicians or extremists!

A Handmaids Tale

As the series closes can we celebrate one of the finest badass female characters in tv history. June Osborne was born in the brilliant book written by Margaret Atwood but the series show runners, the writers, and Elizabeth Moss gave her a name and shepherd her through six truly stellar seasons, turning a woman who started as an abused victim with all her dignity stripped from her into a fierce rebel determined to win freedom not only for the other women of Gilead but for her entire country. With this series June Osborne was elevated into a hero for the ages who has even become a symbol in real life for women fighting for justice, equality and dignity everywhere. Join me in thanking the talented, creative people who have entertained us, inspired us, and shown us the importance of being vigilant about the world we live in and if need be, fighting even in the most hopeless of situations. June Osborne - we are legion.

Think The Handmaid’s Tale Is Fiction? It’s All Rooted in Real History

Womens Rights

Women’s rights are human rights!

ISSUES WOMEN ARE FACING

Protonatalism

Gender Pay Gap

Gender Based Violence

Sexual Harassment

How common is sexual harassment?

Workplace sexual harassment online toolkits

Workplace Discrimination

Access To Reproductive Healthcare

Economic Inequality (not limited to just women)

Racial Justice

Constitutional Equality

Aging

Obstacles For Women Seeking Political Office

Lack Of Women In Leadership

Social Norms And Cultural Practices

Patriarchy

Women Empowerment Guided Meditation For All The Ladies Cis gendered & Trans Gendered May we all stand proudly, and confidently in our sovereignty ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Action You Can Take!

Help With Womens Healthcare

...Or Should ...And CAN So Let's Help Them Get There!! and at the very least, let's help give them a world they can thrive in, be respected in and be comfortable living in.

Links & Resources

Pussyhat Project

Knit Activism for women's rights. We began with the Women's March on Washington, D.C. January 21, 2017.

9 ways men can become allies for equal rights

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100 Men For Gender Equality Workplace Allies

Where Women Have No Doctor A health guide for women

Just The Headlines

Abortions stopped in Missouri again in wake of State Supreme Court ruling

Dismissed by DEI: Trump’s Purge Made Black Women With Stable Federal Jobs an “Easy Target”

A Handmaids Tale

Women Empowerment Guided Meditation
For All The Ladies
Cis gendered & Trans Gendered
May we all stand proudly, and confidently in our sovereignty ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

...Or Should ...And CAN
So Let's Help Them Get There!!
and at the very least, let's help give them a world they can thrive in, be respected in and be comfortable living in.

100 Men For Gender Equality
Workplace Allies

Where Women Have No Doctor
A health guide for women