Women's eNews (https://womensenews.org/author/ann-moline/)
The International Finance Corporation–better known for funding massive economic development projects involving large corporations–is extending credits to small initiatives that benefit women in the developing world.
Seven new women joined Congress this term, and their priorities–taxes, national security, abortion and other big issues–are as varied as the women themselves.
In Washington and Albany, women opposed to a U.S. war on Iraq have embarked on vigils, fasts and a 40-day hunger strike to draw attention to their views, which they say are being drowned out by “testosterone-poisoned rhetoric.”
The all-knowing Washington, D.C., think tanks–the organizations that supply the White House, Congress, advocacy organizations, and the talk shows with policy experts and research to support the views du jour–have a mixed record of including women
A landmark decision in Europe directs European Union members to institute laws banning sexual harassment in the workplace. Some countries are expected to balk, claiming protection of women at work could be too costly for businesses.
The World Bank will consider the effects of its policies on women and girls as it evaluates new and old programs designed to equalize opportunities for men and women in developing countries.
In a response to the number of women in prison skyrocketing, Girl Scouts of the USA is expanding an innovative program that reconnects incarcerated women and their daughters.
A presidential panel outlined three plans for increasing private investment of payroll taxes for retirement security, but some observers charge all three plans will leave women with less money and more risks.
Before Sept. 11, the newly Democratic Senate with its Republican allies was going to pay attention to women. Now, action on health care, minimum wage, pension reform and bankruptcy help has been stalled by anti-terrorism and economic stimulus issues.
The first report by a presidential Social Security commission states that 15 years from now, the system will be in financial straits. Congressional Democrats and women’s advocates say it exaggerates the problems and would especially hurt women.