Court Nixes Sex-Work Pledge; Kansas Stifles Choice

By WeNews Staff

Friday, July 8, 2011

(WOMENSENEWS)--

Cheers

A federal appeals court ruled that the United States government cannot require U.S. organizations that receive U.S. foreign assistance for HIV/AIDS eradication efforts to denounce prostitution. The challenge to the policy was brought by the Alliance for Open Society International and Pathfinder International, international nonprofit organizations working to eradicate HIV/AIDS.

More News to Cheer This Week:

The Center for Reproductive Rights filed an injunction on July 1 against a Texas law that prevents a woman from having an abortion unless her doctor gives her an ultrasound, describes the fetus in detail and allows her to hear the fetal heartbeat, reported The Huffington Post July 6.

Yingluck Shinawatra became Thailand's first female prime minister on July 3 with 92 percent of the votes counted and a majority share of 260 seats in the 500 seat parliament, reports the BBC. Shinawatra is the sister of Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in a coup in 2006. Read more about Thailand's political system and the tensions within the country in a Women's eNews article from July, 1.

Jeers

Kansas pro-choice advocates have raised concerns that new legislation would compromise women's privacy. The law enacted last week requires abortion providers to apply for an annual license and gives the state's health department complete access to patient medical records, reported the Associated Press June 5. Anti-choice leaders claimed pro-choice activists' privacy fears were only raised to avoid scrutiny of abortion provider clinics.

The same legislation allocated up to $331,000 in federal funds away from the state's two Planned Parenthood clinics in Wichita area, Forbes reported July 5. Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri have filed a lawsuit challenging the defunding. Wichita is where Dr. George Tiller, a provider of later-term abortions, was murdered two years ago by an anti-choice gunman.

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