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The ruling party is pushing ahead with a restriction on minors and the current abortion law—safeguarded in September–could be weakened by a decision of the country’s Constitutional Court. But for now, pro-choice activists are breathing a sigh of relief.
Spain’s failure to pass a major abortion restriction in September is far from a death knell. Anti-abortion activists in Europe have more funding, rising partisan influence and plenty of tactical lessons to borrow from the U.S. Story reported with Juhie Bhatia.
Our multimedia series, “Backlash in Europe: Women’s Reproductive Rights Threatened,” will begin this coming week. Join the conversation on reproductive health issues in Spain and France on Twitter #EUReproRights.
The Republican-controlled House committee approved an extension of abortion coverage to Peace Corp volunteers. Also this week, a human rights activist in Benghazi was assassinated.
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With the European Parliament elections approaching this weekend, Spain’s center-right party that introduced a controversial anti-abortion bill has yet to pass it. Anti-abortion activists are growing impatient, resorting to violence.
The government is likely to face difficult questions from the U.N. Human Rights Committee when it convenes in October and women across the country are already enraged. This move puts the country out of step with the majority of EU member states.
A female teen is leading a campaign to combat female genital mutilation. Also this week, female students arrested in Cairo were assaulted in custody and subjected to virginity tests.
Spain may be committing to a stricter path on abortion but French lawmakers are moving to better secure women’s right to the procedure. The new French law does away with language requiring “a situation of distress.”
Malala Yousafzai and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova of Pussy Riot were the top two spots on CNN’s list of the 10 women who shaped 2013. Also this week, abortion rights protestors were beaten by police in Spain.
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News of the president’s nomination of the No. 2 person at the Fed was warmly greeted on Twitter and online news sites. Yellen is on course to be the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve.