Women

November 2, 2009 -- Healthy pregnant women mount a robust immune response following just one dose of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, according to initial results from an ongoing clinical trial sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health.

“For pregnant women, who are among the most vulnerable to serious health problems from 2009 H1N1 infection, these initial results are very reassuring,” says NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, M.D. “The immune responses seen in these healthy pregnant women are comparable to those seen in healthy adults at the same time point after a single vaccination, and the vaccine has been well tolerated.”    » read more »

Nordic countries continue to have the smallest equality gaps between men and women

New York, USA, 27 October – Iceland (1) has claimed the top spot of the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2009 from Norway (3) which slipped to third position behind Finland (2). Sweden (4) completed the Nordic countries’ continued dominance of the top four. The report’s Index assesses countries on how well they are dividing their resources and opportunities among their male and female populations, regardless of the overall levels of these resources and opportunities.    » read more »

Participation in Stress Management Program Results in Increased Pregnancy Rate

Skillman, NJ (October 19, 2009) – Women who participated in a stress management program prior to or during their second IVF cycle had a 160 percent greater pregnancy rate than women who did not participate in a program, according to a study presented today at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s 65th Annual Meeting.    » read more »

Sánchez Works to Make Similar Federal Law

October 14, 2009 -- Washington, DC - Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA), applauded California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for signing state legislation into law to end gender discrimination in health insurance premiums. The new law will prevent health insurers from charging men and women different rates for the same health insurance policies in the individual market.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Women’s Working Group joined leaders from women’s organizations for a press conference outside the Capitol this afternoon to discuss how women stand to gain the most from health insurance reform. Women will continue to face discrimination in both coverage and cost if health reform fails. Below are the Speaker’s opening statement and closing remarks.

On Why Health Insurance Reform is Essential for Women:    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Jim Matheson -- speaking at a hearing before the Health subcommittee Wednesday—told colleagues that breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for Utah women. He urged support for several bills designed to improve education, treatment and screen programs for the disease.

“Everyone has been touched by cancer. I hope we will make significant strides in research, education and screening,” said Matheson. “Though the national incidence rate of breast cancer among women is much higher than Utah ’s, Utah ’s mortality rate is the same because a higher percentage of Utah women are diagnosed in the cancer’s later stages. If breast cancer is caught early, survival is much more likely.”    » read more »

Washington, Oct 7 - Congresswoman Kathy Castor, working to eliminate disparities in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, advocated her bill today during a significant hearing on the Subcommittee on Health. The Eliminating Disparities in Breast Cancer Treatment Act of 2009 will create incentives and requirements for adequate care for all women, regardless of race, income or health insurance status.    » read more »

U.S. and African leaders highlighted economic impediments facing women in Africa and strategies to unleash their economic potential.

WASHINGTON -- Oct. 5, 2009 -- A summit meeting on U.S.-Africa business opportunities drew government, private sector, and civil society leaders from around the world last week to discuss ways to improve women’s economic opportunities. The event included ExxonMobil executive Sara Ortwein, who praised The Corporate Council on Africa for its focus on women and led a roundtable discussion on strategies to promote women's economic development.    » read more »

October 2, 2009 -- Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, submitted the following statement at yesterday’s Committee hearing concerning the global costs and consequences of violence against women.

“For too long, women have gotten short shrift in development and foreign policy. Women’s rights, women’s health, and violence against women have a history as being designated and denigrated as “soft” issues,” said Dodd. “The unassailable truth, however, is that promoting women’s rights, women’s health, and women’s empowerment are not simply idealistic, moral goals. Rather, they are some of our most effective tools in achieving America’s key foreign policy goals and meeting our most difficult challenges.”    » read more »

September 30, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice has released over $3 million to help New Mexico combat violent crimes against women. The funds come from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women.

"The funds awarded today to New Mexico will enhance efforts to combat this serious problem," Bingaman said.

Funding was awarded to the following:

New Mexico Crime Victims Reparation Commission - $1.13 million: Funding will help the commission implement a variety of activities aimed at strengthening the justice system's response to violent crimes committed against women.    » read more »

As Prepared

June 23, 2009 -- "I thank Senator Menendez and Senator Schumer for their outstanding statements to the Senate today. As I review Judge Sotomayor’s record in preparation for her confirmation hearing on July 13, I am struck by her extraordinary career and how she has excelled at everything she has done. I know how proud her mother Celina is of her accomplishments.    » read more »

"Senators were urged to eliminate references to reproductive health"

June 18, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - Following the recent tragic shooting death of Dr. George Tiller, a reproductive health care provider in Kansas, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) authored a non-controversial resolution condemning the use of violence against providers of women's health care services.

The resolution faced objection by some colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and the Senators were urged to eliminate references to women's reproductive health care in order to unanimously pass the resolution. Shaheen, Boxer, and Klobuchar introduced their original resolution, which was co-sponsored by an additional 43 Senators.    » read more »

June 15, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire and the state Office of Crime Victims Advocacy has awarded $1.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to the STOP (Services Training Officers Prosecutors) Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.

STOP grants go to county criminal justice agencies and non-profit victim service programs to improve safety for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking or dating violence and enhance the criminal justice system’s support for those victims.

Twenty-seven jobs across Washington will be retained or created as a result.    » read more »

Senator Impressed with Judge's Personal and Professional Experience

June 10, 2009 -- Washington – Senator Kent Conrad left his meeting today with Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor saying he was impressed with the federal judge’s vast experience and background.

“I had a productive meeting with Judge Sotomayor and learned more about her background and how she would interpret the Constitution,” Senator Conrad said after the one-on-one meeting. “We need justices who will impartially interpret the law and the Constitution and also possess a record of sound judgment.”    » read more »

ExxonMobil and Vital Voices Launch Africa Businesswomen’s Network at World Economic Forum on Africa

June 10, 2009 -- CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) and Vital Voices Global Partnership3 today joined with local businesswomen’s organizations throughout Africa to announce the launch of the Africa Businesswomen’s Network (ABWN) at the World Economic Forum on Africa.    » read more »