Live 8 - Make Poverty History

Live 8

Every day 50,000 people die of extreme poverty. Now, we have the power to end this tragedy -- not with our money, but with our voices. On July 6, leaders from the world's most powerful countries are gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland for the historic G8 Summit. They'll discuss plans to increase aid to poor countries, eliminate debts, make trade laws fair -- and, as a result, save millions of lives all over the world. But they'll only act if enough people tell them to. Visit AOLMusic.com now to learn more about Live 8, add your name to the Live 8 List: -- and find out how we can become the generation that makes poverty history.

Women's Reproductive Rights--basic Human Rights

Unless women have the right to access and obtain safe and legal contraceptives and abortions, without harassment and ridiculous impediments such as obstinate anti-choice/anti-contraceptive pharmacists, politicians, and other like-minded ideologues, women will truly never attain one of their basic human rights--reproductive rights. The women and even girls in this country face all kinds very intimidating and dangerous blocks in the way of their reproductive rights and sexual freedom. From pharmacies allowing their zealous and disgruntled anti-choice/anti-contraceptive employees to refuse to dispense with women's birth control prescriptions--along with emergency contraception. To Abstinence Only programs, laden with blatant superstitious Christian dogma, embarrassing yet very obnoxious and inexcusable misinformation (on *purpose* in order to achieve a certain ends--indoctrination), and misogynist sentiments towards female sexuality and liberation, and vitriolic homophobic bigotry. To hospitals refusing to give rape victims emergency contraception or refer them to a hospital or clinic that will. To waiting periods and parental consent and notification laws that place undue burden on young women and girls, and hamper their reproductive rights. And of course, to uber-conservative politicians (mostly men) and their allied ideological cohorts (ie: far-Rightwing, fundamentalist Christian groups), who seek to not only overturn Roe v. Wade but also ban the use of contraception all together. They see women not as autonomous human beings, entitled to full equal rights and civil liberties, but instead mere birthing chattel, pre-destined by their own biology to be pregnant and give birth on demand whenever the men (and even their anti-choice/anti-contraceptive female accomplices) in power find it convenient and necessary. In another words, convenient and necessary to reaffirm one the tenets of a patriarchal society that women should have zero control or say over their reproductive destinies and sexuality. In order for women to be free and equal citizens they must be recognized as autonomous human beings, and as such are entitled to equal rights and civil liberties--that are not abused or eroded by the government.

A perfect example of how the this is not only about abortion but contraception as well is the current hysteria regarding anti-choice/anti-contraceptive, fanatical religious, and pompous pharmacists who impose their ideological views on women by refusing to dispense and refill their birth control prescriptions and/or emergency contraception. Feminist and other women's reproductive rights advocacy groups have most definitely take notice of this, and have been mounting counterattacks in the hopes of giving women the right to gain access to their contraceptive medication, without being hassled, humiliated, and rebuffed by arrogant pharmacists, whose job function is to dispense with medicine, not personal ideology. Politicians who respect and endorse women's reproductive rights have also taken a stand against these outrageous policies within pharmacies and have proposed a bill that would allow women to access their contraception without being turned away by entire pharmacies.

"NOW Supports Legislation Protecting Women's Right to Legal, Safe Birth Control
Urge your senators and representatives to support the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act

NOW joined Senator Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., and Representatives Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., Debbie Wasserman-Shultz, D-Fla., and Christopher Shays, R-Conn., at a recent press conference where they introduced the Access to Legal Pharmaceuticals Act, or ALPhA (S.809/ H.R. 1652). This legislative proposal, supported by NOW and women's health groups across the nation, does not require individual pharmacists to dispense any medications for which they have a religious or moral objection. However, it would require there be another pharmacist on the premises who will immediately fill the prescription and that the pharmacy must order the prescribed drug if it is not already in stock. In addition, the pharmacist cannot harass, humiliate, or intentionally breach the confidentiality of the individual attempting to fill the prescription.

"Access to birth control is a women's health issue and a private matter, not to be tampered with by a pharmacist with an agenda," said Maloney. The legislation is a sweeping response to recent reports from women in over a dozen states who have publicly stated that pharmacists refused to fill their birth control or emergency contraception prescriptions due to a "moral conflict of interest." Across the nation, pharmacists are turning away patients with a legal medical prescription for some form of birth control, citing their own personal beliefs to determine what is in the best "interest" of their customers. When a pharmacist denies medical treatment based solely on their personal religious beliefs, it is both cruel and unacceptable.
The American Pharmacists Association established a "conscience clause" in 1998, allowing pharmacists to dispense medication based on personal beliefs — although it specifically states pharmacies have an obligation to ensure the patient's access to their prescribed medication. "Today they might not fill prescriptions for birth control pills, tomorrow it could be painkillers for a cancer patient," Lautenberg announced. "Next year it could be medicine that prolongs the life of a person with AIDS or some other terminal disease . . . If a pharmacist is allowed to pick and choose what prescriptions to fill, everyone's health is put at risk."

Regrettably, some pharmacists are taking it upon themselves to stretch the boundaries of this clause. Not only are they refusing to fill prescriptions for legal and safe hormones or refer the customer to another pharmacist or pharmacy, some pharmacists are refusing to even return a written prescription so the woman can have it filled elsewhere. Consequently, women who live in small towns or rural areas often have no alternative pharmacy available, and rape victims may suffer twofold if they have to continue searching for another pharmacy.
NOW is urging all women's rights supporters to tell their Congress members to support this important legislation protecting a woman's constitutional right to obtain safe and legal birth control. Pharmacists may have a license to dispense drugs but they are not authorized to discriminate against women nor dictate anyone's access to healthcare. As Wasserman-Schultz said, ". . . if men were denied condoms by pharmacies, this issue would have been taken care of already."

That's for damn sure. If it was an issue of pharmacists refusing to dispense Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, or Enzyte, Congress would have another one of those 'emergency Midnight sessions,' and it would have media attention galore, unlike the current situation. Imagine the name of the bill for such a thing....the 'Give Me My Viagra Now, But Don't Give My Wife Birth Control' Bill. I'm sure it would be passed unanimously, probably only two seconds after the session is called to order.

In Florida, reproductive rights groups are challenging the the Parental Notification Law, in order to protect the health and rights of young women.

"FL: Reproductive Rights Groups File Lawsuit Against Parental Notification Law
The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) have filed a lawsuit to strike down a parental notification law for abortion in Florida. Scheduled to go into effect July 1, the law would require doctors to notify parents 48 hours before performing an abortion for a woman under the age of 18 unless she is married or already has a child, reports the Associated Press.

Filed on behalf of four women’s health clinics and two individual physicians, the lawsuit contends that the notification requirement endangers the health and lives of young women by potentially delaying treatment in emergency cases. Further, the groups argue that the language of the bill is confusing, making it difficult for doctors to comply with the law in such a way as to provide timely health care to young women and girls. CRR attorney Janet Crepps said of the law, “The Florida legislature passed this law – claiming to protect teens – when, in fact, it jeopardizes their health and lives.”

Too young to make a decision to have an abortion but old enough to endure a full term pregnancy and labor, and reaffirm the notion that women's and girls' civil rights and liberties become null and void once she becomes pregnant or is suspected of being pregnant. She then becomes property and is at the mercy of the state.

And Ashley Judd campaigns for women's and girls' health and empowerment.

"Ashley Judd Connects HIV/AIDS Prevention to Women's Empowerment

Ashley Judd, a well-known actor and feminist activist, testified at a recent Congressional hearing on the urgent need to address issues of gender equality in the fight against HIV/AIDS in developing countries. At a hearing primarily focused on the potential for developing an AIDS vaccine, Judd spoke on behalf of young women and girls, bringing much needed attention to the connection between HIV/AIDS prevention and women’s empowerment. “Having an AIDS vaccine would be of great benefit to women of all ages because it could reduce their chances of becoming infected,” Judd told the committee in her concluding remarks. “As there is not a vaccine to prevent abuse of women, however, there is nothing more important in the struggle against this disease than reversing destructive social norms that endanger women across Africa and in other developing countries.”

Judd is a self-identified feminist who appeared on the Spring 2003 cover of Ms. magazine wearing a “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like” t-shirt. Judd began her career as an activist in the Equal Rights Amendment campaign.

Judd has traveled throughout Africa and Asia to educate young people, especially women and girls, about HIV/AIDS through her post as Global Ambassador for YouthAIDS. She is also on the Board of Directors of Population Services International. In her testimony on Thursday, Judd pointed to several factors increasing young women and girls’ risk of HIV infection, including sexual violence, economic hardship, and the rising trend of “cross generational sex,” a practice in which young women and girls engage in sexual relationships with older men as a means of financial survival.

Further, rates of HIV infection among young women continue to rise. Judd referred to a recent finding that young women in Africa are six times more likely to become infected than their male counterparts. In fact, young women now account for 60 percent of those infected with HIV worldwide in the 15-24 age range, according to the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS.

Judd issued a call to action to the committee to do more to protect young women and girls from HIV/AIDS. In particular, she called for funding agencies to work with local programs to change harmful “social norms and practice” that perpetuate women’s inequality. She urged that foreign aid contributions be tied to a country’s commitment to enforcing laws against sexual violence and that we do more to strengthen and enforce laws against sex trafficking. I do believe our greatest export is our ideas, gender equality being the most important one,” said Judd."

There is no crueler way to subjugate women and girls than to do it with disease, viruses, zero comprehensive sex-education, and lack of reproductive rights and sexual liberation. Women and girls are autonomous human beings, not sociopolitical toys for the amusement of powerful misogynists.

Men and Misogynist Violence

Men have the power to stop rape and sexual violence against women and girls. Here's what men and boys can do to stop the cycle of misogynist violence--which is unfortunately encouraged and excused by our own society and culture.

Via Men Can Stop Sexual Violence

"10 THINGS MEN CAN DO TO PREVENT GENDER VIOLENCE

1.) Approach gender violence as a MEN'S issue involving men of all ages and socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds. View men not only as perpetrators or possible offenders, but as empowered bystanders who can confront abusive peers.

2.) If a brother, friend, classmate, or teammate is abusing his female partner -- or is disrespectful or abusive to girls and women in general -- don't look the other way. If you feel comfortable doing so, try to talk to him about it. Urge him to seek help. Or if you don't know what to do, consult a friend, a parent, a professor, or a counselor. DON'T REMAIN SILENT.

3.) Have the courage to look inward. Question your own attitudes. Don't be defensive when something you do or say ends up hurting someone else. Try hard to understand how your own attitudes and actions might inadvertently perpetuate sexism and violence, and work toward changing them.

4.) If you suspect that a woman close to you is being abused or has been sexually assaulted, gently ask if you can help.

5.) If you are emotionally, psychologically, physically, or sexually abusive to women, or have been in the past, seek professional help NOW.

6.) Be an ally to women who are working to end all forms of gender violence. Support the work of campus-based women's centers. Attend "Take Back the Night" rallies and other public events.

7.) Raise money for community-based rape crisis centers and battered women's shelters. If you belong to a team or fraternity, or another student group, organize a fundraiser.
Recognize and speak out against homophobia and gay-bashing. Discrimination and violence against lesbians and gays are wrong in and of themselves. This abuse also has direct links to sexism (e.g. the sexual orientation of men who speak out against sexism is often questioned, a conscious or unconscious strategy intended to silence them. This is a key reason few men do so).

8.) Attend programs, take courses, watch films, and read articles and books about multicultural masculinities, gender inequality, and the root causes of gender violence. Educate yourself and others about how larger social forces affect the conflicts between individual men and women.

9.) Don't fund sexism. Refuse to purchase any magazine, rent any video, subscribe to any Web site, or buy any music that portrays girls or women in a sexually degrading or abusive manner. Protest sexism in the media.

10.) Mentor and teach young boys about how to be men in ways that don't involve degrading or abusing girls and women. Volunteer to work with gender violence prevention programs, including anti-sexist men's programs. Lead by example.

And also from V-Day: Until the Violence Stops...

"What frightens you about giving up violence?
What are you afraid of losing?
What do you secretly like about violence?
How will sex change when there is no more violence?
What stories will you have to give up when you give up violence? what parts of your past will you have to release?
Why do you think ending violence is impossible?
Do you know anywhere in the world where there is no violence? describe.
Do you know anyone who truly lives non-violently? describe.
What is violence?
Where does it come from?
Do you believe violence is part of human nature?
Do you believe violence is taught?
What is the relationship of violence to patriarchy?
Do you think violence has to do with race, class, a particular place?
What would have to change in the world in order to end violence?
What would have to change in you in order to end violence?
What makes you violent?
What stops you from being violent?
Who has been violent towards you?
How did this change who you are?
Do you believe it is possible to end violence? why? why not?"

The Japan Times Online

The Japan Times Online :

"According to a report prepared by the International Committee of the Red Cross, titled 'Women and War' and based on two years of research from 1998 to 1999, approximately 80 percent of war victims are women and children. This is mainly because military conflicts now more commonly engulf towns and cities instead of only frontline areas.

There are many in this world for whom the ravages of war - including arson, looting, murder and rape -- are a way of life. These people have known little else than war all their lives, like their parents before them and their children (if they survive) after them. These generations of war face atrocities on a daily basis, and most of these go unnoticed by the rest of the world.
--snip--

While rape can be used to brutalize both sexes, it is usually committed against women during wartime -- males are usually killed or captured. Ongoing conflicts in many countries, including Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq, Afghanistan and Congo, have victims of war rapes running into the thousands.
--snip--

Rape is a more effective weapon of war than killing. Many victims say they would prefer death over life after being raped." [emphasis mine]

Read the whole article if you have the stomach for it.

I'm cross-posting this every damned place I can because I'm sick of people telling me that war affects men and women equally.

80% Women and Children. Only one in five is a man. War is a Woman's issue. Women's Rights Are Human Rights.

:: MUKHTARMAI.COM

:: MUKHTARMAI.COM

Mukhtaran Mai was gang-raped on orders of an unofficial tribal court for an offense supposedly committed by her brother. Please go to the link above and read the whole story.

Then go sign this petition to end this awful practice.

We have to make clear to the world that there is no honor ever in raping or killing a woman.

We Won't Shut Up!

OK, this page has one goal - to assert that women are people. That's it. We will accept nothing less anymore.

We own our bodies, and we won't accept external controls that men never have to think about. We are free citizens and will not defer to any authority but our own consciences and desires. We're tired of tip-toeing around archaic, Puritanical values that have little to do with life or technology in the 21st century. Believe what you want, but don't expect to limit me or my behavior according to your beliefs. I'll choose for myself, thanks.

Pseudo-Adrienne and I will be posting action items where we want to get like-minded people to remind the media and our elected officials women are people. One day, that will be unnecessary. Let's make that happen today.