Law

Gertner Defeats 1979 Massachusetts Anti-Choice Law

By Nancy Gertner ● Arts & Culture ● February 11, 2012

A former U.S. federal judge, Nancy Gertner took on many civil rights cases, starting in the 1970s, as a lawyer. In this excerpt from her memoir, “In Defense of Women,” she recounts helping to defeat an anti-choice law in Massachusetts.

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Idea of Heterosexuality Traced to German Law

By Hanne Blank ● Arts & Culture ● February 4, 2012

The revision of legal codes in Germany in the 1860s raised questions about sexual misconduct, says Hanne Blank in her book “Straight.” In this excerpt, she examines how that led to the creation of the concept of heterosexuality and homosexuality.

Aboriginal Groups Warily Watch Canada Brothel Law

By Sadiya Ansari ● Crime & Law ● January 23, 2012

Groups representing Aboriginal women hope the government will have a partial victory in upholding current prostitution laws. They say female sex workers need to be decriminalized, but they will be endangered if the government stops arresting pimps and johns.

Taboos Undercut Nepal’s Marital Rape Law

By Tara Bhattarai ● Crime & Law ● January 17, 2012

Many women in Nepal say they didn’t know that involuntary intercourse within marriage has been outlawed. Women’s advocates say those who are aware would rather call it a form of domestic violence than marital rape.

Paid Family Leave Pays: Let’s Buy in This Year

By Susan Rose ● Employment ● January 8, 2012

This Congress is likely to once again reject paid-family leave, even though California and New Jersey show it’s a good idea. Susan Rose says we need new leaders in 2012 to help struggling parents.

Selective Abortion-Ban Won’t Stop Son Preference

By Sujatha Jesudason ● Health & Science ● December 13, 2011

A congressional bill to ban sex-selective abortions and those based on race–the so-called PRENDA bill–poses as a defender of gender equity and racial justice. Sujatha Jesudason says its real effect would be to undermine both.

In Lebanon, Violence Between the Sheets Is Legal

By Paola Salwan Daher ● Crime & Law ● December 8, 2011

Lebanon’s parliament recently dropped a bill to criminalize violence against women. Paola Salwan Daher says activists have pursued the matter as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence that culminates on Dec. 10, Human Rights Day.

India’s Aruna Roy Sizes Up Corruption Problems

By Pamela Philipose ● Employment ● November 28, 2011

Indian social activist Aruna Roy discusses the importance of the 2005 right-to-information law that she helped pioneer and the challenge of keeping the anti-corruption movement from getting caught in red tape.

Work Protections for Trans People at Starting Gate

By Kyla Bender-Baird ● Arts & Culture ● November 19, 2011

The history of extending workplace protections to transgender people has more losses than victories, says Kyla Bender-Baird in her book “Transgender Employment Experiences.” In this excerpt, she calls for nuanced policies backed by cultural change.

Note to Biden: Cops Aren’t Answer to Rape

By Wendy Murphy ● Crime & Law ● November 1, 2011

Joe Biden recently threw the rape card at opponents of Obama’s failed jobs bill, saying they would prevent the hiring of cops needed at the crime scene. Wendy Murphy calls it a spurious argument unworthy of a leading advocate for women’s safety.