Women New June 30, 2009

Federal Appeals Court Upholds Virginia Abortion Ban

Last Wednesday, in a 6-5 decision the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit  upheld Virginia's 2003 law banning a type of late-term abortion procedure known medically as intact dilation and extraction. This procedure has erroneously been called "partial-birth abortion" by antiabortionists. Virginia law does permit women to choose various abortion procedures but makes it a crime for providers to perform an intact dilation and extraction. Violators are punishable with up to 10 years in prison.

Abortion rights supporters claimed Virginia's statute was unconstitutional because the banned procedure was so broadly defined that it would prohibit the safest and most common form of second-trimester abortion. But the appeals court noted that the law specifically exempts the standard "dilation and extraction" procedure.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge M. Blane Michael wrote the Virginia law is unconstitutional because it imposes criminal liability on "any doctor who sets out to perform a standard D&E that by accident becomes an intact D&E."

Interesting this judgment went along party lines. All six judges who voted to affirm the law were appointed by Republican presidents. Democrats appointed the five dissenters.

VAIN, A Magazine For Women, Launches

A new online and print lifestyle magazine, VAIN focuses on women ages 18 to 38. It applauds the appearance and achievements of young women who are beautiful but somewhat flawed. VAIN , the brainchild of Rachelle Gauthier. But when you go to purchase it beware that there already are few VAIN publications

The new VAIN will have plenty of content -- including interviews with interesting and powerful women It is also putting together a series of events "to encourage individuals to start taking pride not only in their appearance, but also their community," explained publicist Nicole Newsum. She says "Partnering with foundations is a way for the VAIN reader to find balance and invest time and money in things/projects outside herself."

VAIN will be on sale at newsstands, specialty boutiques, college campuses, spas and the like in select markets and is now working to pick up subscriptions through its Web site and at its events, sponsored college tours and workshops.

Generic Plan B Pill for Women 17 and Younger

The FDA has approved the first generic version of the emergency contraceptive Plan B It will be available by prescription only for women aged 17 and younger. Plan B -- the brand-name drug -- is already available without a prescription to women aged 18 and older. But the new generic product requires a prescription, and it's specifically approved only for women aged 17 and younger.

You might wonder why they don't just make the generic product available without a prescription. The reason is that Duramed Pharmaceuticals has a patent on Plan B's nonprescription sales until Aug. 24, 2009. The new generic product is made by a different company, Watson Laboratories Inc., and even after Duramed's patent expires, the generic product won't automatically become available without a prescription -- Watson Laboratories would have to seek FDA approval for that. The FDA won't say whether such an application has been filed.

There is no age limit on how young is too young for the new generic, prescription-only product. But a doctor would have to prescribe it; young women or girls can't get it otherwise.

Sarasota County Democrats support President’s call for a public health insurance option

According to county Democratic party chair Rita Ferrandino, “The Sarasota Democratic Party understands the dream of quality, affordable health care for ALL Americans is now within reach. We will stand behind our President and support this goal for health care reform. We know that together we in Sarasota will make our voices heard, one neighbor at a time.”
 
As forces marshal for and against a government role in health insurance, local Democrats stand with the President, who said at a town hall meeting in early June that “one of the options should be a public insurance option – because if the private insurance companies have to compete with a public option, it will keep them honest and help keep prices down.”

U.N. Puts Female Peacekeepers

From now until Aug 4th, the U.N. visitors' lobby is showcasing female peacekeepers with a multimedia exhibit called"Women in Peacekeeping: The Power to Empower." The exhibit's photos depict women peacekeepers in action. As they foster community dialogue and reconciliation, promote human rights and the rule of law and encourage citizens to participate in elections. Women are particularly affected conflict zones at making women feel more comfortable confiding in other them and helping children relate more easily. This is especially true when rape has been wielded as a tool of war.

Even though there are about 113,000 people who work in military, police and civilian capacities in 18 missions around the world, with 117 countries contributing people to these efforts, women are still only 8 percent of the U.N. police and 2 percent of its military personnel.

Alain Le Roy, the U.N. under-secretary-general for peacekeeping operations said "Our women peacekeepers make a critical contribution in all of these areas and their work encourages others to participate in local peace processes."

Lynn Rosenthal WAS Named White House Adviser on Violence Against Women