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Sexual and Reproductive Health
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Protect Safe and Accessible AbortionThe overturning of Roe V Wade was just the beginning of the battle to protect reproductive rights. Most abortions are done through Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medications and new lawsuits threaten access to those approved medications to millions of women. Health and reproductive rights advocates fear many will turn to unsafe, self-induced abortions if access to these medications are banned. If you believe access to these medications should be protected, add your voice to the petition calling on Congress to act to enshrine access no matter where you live. As reported by the Guttmacher Institute, over 90% of abortion patients in the US obtain their procedure in the first trimester, with the majority of them opting for medication abortion. Medication abortion, using the FDA approved combination of mifepristone and misoprostol for up to 10 weeks of pregnancy. If you believe access to safe and legal abortion is fundamental to reproductive health and freedom by calling on Congress to act to make mifepristone accessible to all individuals seeking safe and effective medication abortion regardless of their location or financial status. My name is Star and in 2021, I had an abortion. I went to a clinic in Knoxville, Tennessee where they gave me the abortion pills (mifepristone and misopristol) to end my pregnancy, but due to me being almost 12 weeks pregnant, the pills didn't work. I then headed to Charlotte to get a surgical abortion. I was scared both times but I was more relieved than anything because I was able to get the help I needed. Even though I was able to get the healthcare I sought, others in my position will not be able to if Congress bans mifepristone. Mifepristone is safe and should be accessible to all who seek it. I stand with any and all people who seek abortions and you should too. If you believe that people deserve safe and legal abortion care, please sign this petition. Banning abortions only bans safe abortions.
Star Jowers112,6462/10/23
Stealthing Is Sexual Assault. Urge Lawmakers to Modernize Consent Statutes Now!Imagine agreeing to sex only on the condition a condom is used. Imagine your partner removing it. Without your knowledge. Without your consent. Imagine trying to interpret this act, desperately resorting to a Google search for answers. Imagine becoming pregnant as a result. And then, imagine being unable to access legal abortion. Or, imagine holding tightly to your beliefs and refusing abortion, despite your perpetrator's insistence that you terminate the pregnancy his actions caused. Imagine raising that child. Alone. Now, imagine the only way to hold your perpetrator financially accountable for this child is to file for child support, which in turn gives your assaulter custody and/or visitation rights. Imagine requesting STI testing from your doctor, only to have them tell you the reason for your request - secret condom removal - is a serious yet lesser talked about form of sexual assault. Imagine your life being completely upended - missed work, missed school, childcare responsibilities and costs, a surge in mental health repercussions - while your perpetrator’s life remained unchanged. Nonconsensual condom removal, commonly called stealthing, is a dangerous form of sexual violence that happens to an estimated 43% of women and 19% of men who have sex with men. The only thing more alarming than the statistics? The fact laws in the United States have failed to keep up with the reality of the harms wrought by this prevalent act. At present, victims are forced to utilize nonspecific sexual assault and battery codes to seek justice. As a result, most forgo coming forward, allowing perpetrators the opportunity to repeat their actions. In fact, 10% of males not only admit to stealthing a sexual partner, but commonly repeat their behavior. In the United Kingdom, stealthing is a rape crime, punishable by a sentence of up to life in prison. Seven other countries, including our neighbor Canada, have likewise enacted federal legislation. Yet, despite the emerging recognition that stealthing is a dangerous form of sexual assault, the United States is behind. Very behind. In fact, only California and Maine have clear anti-stealthing legislation in place. The Adjacent Project is trying to change that. We are a group of survivors and allies working together to ensure nonconsensual condom removal language is specified in consent, gender based violence, or sexual assault and battery codes. 33.4 million Americans who rely on condoms to avoid the risk of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections deserve to have protections. Every day we let pass, without clarifying existing or putting additional legislation in place, is another day allowing perpetrators to commit this selfish and senseless act. There is a very good chance someone close to you has been affected by stealthing. Please, take a moment to sign the petition, urging U.S. lawmakers to modernize consent statutes by tightening legal language to include nonconsensual condom removal, and ultimately incentivizing states to pass similar laws. Together, we can stop stealthing. Please share our petition using this link: link:https://www.change.org/stop_stealthing_now Follow our campaign on Instagram @theadjacentproject
The Adjacent Project23,8071/23/24
Save Labor and Delivery Scripps Chula VistaWe, The undersigned members of the Chula Vista Healthcare Community, strongly urge that the planned closure of the maternity unit of Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista be put to a halt. We need the San Diego Board of Supervisors and SANDAG to help us plan for short and long term solutions to fill the need for full service acute care hospital in the South Bay, and that they insist Scripps provide long term expansion plan for CV campus to upgrade facilities to meet code, and expand capacity to meet current and projected future community needs. If Scripps is unable/unwilling to upgrade and expand, find alternative hospital system to manage as there is ongoing community need for a full service hospital in this location. Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista provides maternity care in an underserved border community, in an urban location uniquely accessible to a patients via public transit.The proposed consolidated unit in San Diego is 1.5 hrs away by transit. Closure of the unit will particularly endanger the health of low-income women and infants of color.• Closure of the SMHCV unit will leave Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center the sole maternity unit for a population of over 500,000 in South San Diego County as well as the cross-border communities living in both San Diego and Tijuana.• SMHCV, with the San Ysidro Health Center FQHC, sponsors the Scripps Family Practice Residency Program, which for the past 20 years has trained family physicians with a mission to underserved communities. ACGME accreditation, which requires continuity care of obstetrical patients through delivery, will be jeopardized when patients cannot travel to the consolidated maternity unit. This will worsen the primary care physician shortage.• Loss of labor and delivery and postpartum nurses, representing decades of specialized experience, will exacerbate the critical shortage of experienced RNs.• Emergency room staff, already overstretched, will need to evaluate and stabilize laboring mothers and their infants without labor and delivery services available, and will no longer have the support of neonatal resuscitation personnel for ill neonates. Patient care and safety will suffer; moral injury and burnout for the ER team will increase.• Underutilization statistics inaccurately reflect the bed usage. The total number of beds is based on a previous rehabilitation unit licensure with two- or four-bed room occupancy, not single-occupancy labor rooms and mother-baby dyad rooming.• Alternatives to closure exist to preserve access to care, such as conversion of labor and delivery rooms to labor/delivery/postpartum rooms, converting some postpartum rooms to medical beds or cross training of staff.
Julzdelivers G14,9703/16/24
Accessible Feminine Hygiene Products at Morgan State University1 in 5 menstruating students have missed school/class because of a lack of period supplies and resources. Period products are a crucial and constant hygiene need similar to toilet paper and yet menstrual health is a topic that is often discussed at Morgan State but a permanent solution has not came about. Supporting students with high-quality, freely accessible products improves the educational experience and alleviates the financial burden and stress from when a sudden need for hygiene products arises.Kendra Pinder1,3687/3/24
Demand Immediate Regulatory Action Against Tampon Companies for Toxic Metal ContentsEvery year, millions of people use tampons as a primary method of menstrual hygiene. However, the majority of users are not aware of the potentially harmful materials these tampons may contain. Studies have confirmed the presence of toxic metals in some brands of tampons, which can lead to serious health complications, including cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive health issues. Imperative regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of all tampon users, and we need stringent testing and compliance requirements to protect us from harmful substances. Unfortunately, current standards for tampon and femcare product oversight fail to meet these needs.We are calling on health and product safety regulatory bodies to take immediate action against tampon companies producing products with toxic metals. To provide a safe environment for all users and to guarantee the right to be informed, it is essential that tampon companies provide a full disclosure of all tampon contents. We must prioritize health over profit, and your signature can help achieve this. Sign this petition to demand immediate and critical measures against tampon companies for allowing toxic metal contents.Charity Johnston7,0647/10/24
Get the Forced-Birthers off CampusUpdate: this group is chasing down and harassing women in front of the library now. I've also been made aware that they are driving large truck with those false images past the K-12 schools even though they are strictly told not to. They anti-women forced birther group has assembled a giant, multi-pronged billboard in front of Sherrod Library at ETSU, where we work and study. These people do not know the experiences of the women on campus, it is traumatizing and potentially dangerous to be projecting fake pictures of "dead fetuses" to an entire population of not only college students but children who may be attending for field trips or activities. We are supposed to be focusing on our finals during Dead Week but I've gotten multiple messages from women and people with uteruses saying they are afraid to go to the library with fear of being harassed. They are even making children themselves hand out flyers. Please sign this petition to get this fear-mongering Christian nationalist group to leave our safe place of study. They are using the swastika hate symbol to support their point and are comparing women who need healthcare to Hitler and the Holocaust, which is unacceptable behavior.Autumn N.7274/15/24
Stop Project 2025 with a Blue 2025Project 2025 is a serious threat to democracy. Responding to the many valuable critiques of Project 2025 from a community of democratic organizations, here our team offers Americans an initial alternative vision, Blue 2025. It is a tool for Democratic lawmakers and the public and to ignite further discussion of hopeful alternatives. Blue 2025 adds missing points to the Democratic Party platform, with each of the Blue 2025 items providing a blue alternative to core elements of Project 2025. Please sign this petition, share with friends, and contact your House and Senate representatives to integrate Blue 2025 into the Democratic Party platform at the Democratic National Convention taking place August 19-22, 2024! We Support the Following: Labor and Economy A progressive tax system in which higher income earners pay a higher marginal tax rate. Maintaining or increasing, rather than reducing, the corporate tax and capital gains rates. Lowering the threshold for receiving overtime pay for low-wage workers, rather than raising it. Grants to support infrastructure projects by Economic Development Administration, which in 2022 created 220,000 jobs. Unbiased economic data being available to the public. Retaining the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and Census Bureau as separate bodies free from partisan influence. Standing firmly against child labor in dangerous occupations, prioritizing children's safety and well-being. Classifying workers as employees rather than independent contractors. The National Labor Relations Act and its ban on company-controlled unions. Employees' right to unionize with a majority vote, and mandatory disclosure of anti-union activities by employers and contractors. The continued authority of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. The right of employers to set educational requirements for job positions. The existence of the Federal Reserve and its mandate to support full employment. Government Support for the Under-Resourced Food assistance for households at or below the poverty line without burdensome work requirements, which are proven not to increase employment but reduce eligibility. Protecting Head Start, serving over 1 million children from lower-income families to reduce inequities in early childhood development. Expanding disability-benefits eligibility for veterans injured in service, honoring their sacrifices. Funding for public transportation projects through the Capital Investments Grant program to serve communities lacking private transportation options. Healthcare and Reproductive Rights Medicare’s responsibility to negotiate lower prescription drug costs for seniors. Funding of Medicare and Medicaid for all who need it. The right of the 33 million enrolled in Medicare to maintain their coverage rather than being pressured toward private, worse-performing plans. The availability of transgender healthcare in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as transgender healthcare and abortion access for service members. Healthcare insurance coverage of emergency contraception with no religious exemptions permitting the denial of care. Continued FDA approval of mifepristone for medication abortions based on its proven safety and effectiveness. The Comstock Act does not apply to mail delivery of abortion medication, promoting health equity through remote access. The importance of medical record privacy for all patients and doctors under HIPAA, including that covering abortions out of state. Federal funding of Planned Parenthood as a vital healthcare provider. Equal healthcare access for single parents without federal pressure to marry. Social Equity Civil rights and the continued use of “disparate impact standard” to identify discrimination under Title VI, Title VII, and the Fair Housing Act. Continuing federal data collection on race and ethnicity to ensure equitable access to services including Head Start and Medicaid. Endorsing the White House Gender Policy Council for advancing women’s health equity, contraception access, and combating gender-based violence. LGBTQ+ youth in foster care and support their placement in supportive homes without religious exemptions. The Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights in the EPA to protect communities disproportionately affected by environmental policies. Workplace protections for LGBTQ+ Americans, rather than allowing discrimination against them on the basis of religious belief. Combating sex discrimination by recognizing gender diversity and sexual orientations beyond the binary sexes assigned at birth. The right of transgender and HIV-positive people to serve in the military. Discussion of gender identity or sexual orientation are valid concerns that do not amount to pornography nor crimes. Environmental Protection and Justice Continued participation in the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement and federal efforts to meet climate goals, alongside US climate policies. The Endangerment Finding requiring the EPA to curb greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The existence of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) providing essential data on climate and fisheries. Continuation of the Inflation Reduction Act and its funding for professional environmental organizations instead of state regulatory bodies that can be influenced by anti-environmental interests. Protecting public lands and waters, rather than allowing oil-and-gas drilling to “the maximum extent permitted.” States’ rights to pass stricter environmental regulations than those at the national level. Federal government support for independent research about climate and environment, rather than being required to adhere to particular partisan principles. Education and Research Continuation of the Department of Education, crucial to enforcing civil rights in schools. Access to government loans for higher education for all students and parents, regardless of their immigration status or whether the school admits undocumented immigrants. Respect for gender identities of LGBTQ+ youth that differ from their sex assigned at birth and protection under Title IX in schools. The right of educators to teach LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum and curriculum teaching the history and theory of race discrimination in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights requirement that charter schools provide a “non-binary” option for data collection of students. Continued non-partisan distribution of Department of Education funding to schools, rather than sending more money to programs teaching partisan ideologies. Title I providing funding to schools with higher percentages of low-income families. Increasing, rather than decreasing, federal support for free school meals. Federal funding for stem-cell research. Federal Government Structure Employing professional, non-partisan civil servants based on their qualifications, rather than on ideologically biased civil-servant tests or discriminatory intelligence tests. Security clearances remaining a rigorous, non-partisan process. The Department of Homeland Security investigating all potential cases of terrorism, including those by far-right domestic terrorists. Access of the free press to the White House and funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Independence from presidential control of federal agencies including DOJ, FBI, FTC, SEC, and HHS. Immigration Welcoming refugees, asylum seekers, and victims of trafficking into our country, including retaining visas for victims of trafficking and the right of asylum seekers to make their case before an impartial judge in a timely manner. Continuing to exclude a question on citizenship on the Census, for an accurate population count. Foreign Policy and Military Avoiding a nuclear arms race and honoring treaties with allied nations putting limits on our nuclear stockpile, testing, and deployment. Foreign aid addressing the climate crisis and gender disparities. The U.S. military considering the climate crisis in evaluating national security threats. Food and Agriculture Government aid for farmers to ensure food and national security amid volatile conditions. Dietary Guidelines for Americans based on a rigorous scientific process. U.S. support for UN development programs for sustainable agriculture. USDA’s role in creating and managing easements setting aside land for conservation. We welcome any feedback you have on Blue 2025! Please contact Small Planet Institute at info@smallplanet.org with your comments or questions, or any suggestions you may have for how we can spread the word about Blue 2025. Who We Are: Small Planet Institute is a social-benefit organization dedicated to the causes of living democracy, environment, and ecological food systems. Check out our work! Sign up here if you'd like to be added to our email list!Frances Moore Lappé7087/18/24
Request The Lancet to Retract Their Opinion Piece on MenopauseI am one of many women who were told that the symptoms of menopause were all in our heads, dismissed as over-anxious and tired mothers. It wasn't until I changed doctors that I was given Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), a treatment that was life-changing for me. The Lancet recently published an opinion piece suggesting menopause is over-medicalized and recommending Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a solution, which wrongly categorizes the physical suffering of menopausal women into a mental health issue. This perspective is not only misguided but also harmful to millions of women worldwide who are struggling with the physical effects of menopause.Menopause, like diabetes, is a hormonal imbalance issue. Diabetes patients are treated with insulin to replace what their bodies can no longer produce; similarly, HRT replaces diminishing hormones in menopausal women's bodies. According to the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), HRT has been proven effective in treating common symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.We urge The Lancet to retract their opinion piece on menopause and acknowledge the scientific evidence supporting HRT as an effective treatment for many women experiencing this natural phase of life. Please sign this petition if you believe in advocating for accurate medical information and respectful care for all women going through menopause.Rita B3,6463/6/24
Stop Project 2025: Protect Our Rights and Choices!As a concerned citizen, I am deeply troubled by the potential consequences of Project 2025, which threatens to undermine the hard-fought rights and freedoms that we hold dear in the United States. This petition aims to shed light on the alarming implications of this project and rally support to prevent its implementation.This plan is personal to me because it poses a direct threat to marginalized communities, including members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals seeking reproductive healthcare. As an advocate for equality and choice, I strongly believe that everyone should have the right to live their lives authentically without fear or discrimination.Project 2025 has been proposed by the Heritage Foundation with intentions that are deeply concerning. If implemented, this project would grant Republicans in power unprecedented authority over legislation related to civil rights, potentially enabling them to make LGBT people illegal and outlaw all forms of abortion across our nation.In their Mandate For Leadership book, they want to outlaw many laws and freedoms we currently have for the sake of their own personal beliefs which will bring upon a dark time in American History. Here are some videos that best explain what the book is about and some of the things Republicans want to implement. A Deep Dive into Project 2025’s 900 page manifesto, let’s get to it. As a single mom, this document was terrifying to read. There’s a whole section regarding single parent households and basically saying 1/2. PROJECT 2025: They have a plan to make Trump dictator. #wontbesilent #tryit #vote #blue #trump #explode #project2025 Let's consider some well-known historical events as cautionary tales. Throughout history, minority groups have faced discrimination when their rights were left vulnerable due to political shifts or changes in leadership. We must learn from these past mistakes and ensure that our society continues progressing towards inclusivity rather than regressing into intolerance.By signing this petition today, you can join me in urging decision-makers at all levels of government – local, state, and federal – as well as influential organizations within our society not to support or allow Project 2025's implementation. Together we can protect the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution while fostering an environment that respects and celebrates diversity.Let us stand united against any initiative that threatens the rights and freedoms of our fellow citizens. Sign this petition to stop Project 2025 and safeguard the progress we have made towards a more inclusive society.Thank you for your support in defending equality, choice, and human rights for all.Isabella Smith10,1149/18/23
Implement a Menstrual Hygiene Products Program in Katy ISD School BathroomsThe lack of access to period products can lead to significant difficulties for students, including missed class time. One in five girls in the U.S. have left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to period products (Always' "Ending Period Poverty" study). We can make a difference in Katy ISD and end period poverty by implementing a period product basket/dispenser program in the school bathrooms. This petition calls for such a program in our junior high and high schools. Having access to free menstrual hygiene products in our school restrooms would ensure that no student misses out on their education because of their period. We have schools within Katy ISD classified as Title 1, meaning that the school receives federal funding to help all students meet academic performance standards. Implementing this program will prioritize students' health and well-being, which is essential in these schools and district-wide. A district-funded menstrual hygiene program would promote equality and acknowledge that menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege. Please join us in advocating for this vital change. Sign the petition to inform the Katy ISD school board that we support implementing a period product basket/dispenser program in our school bathrooms.Vyshnavi Kolli4737/19/24
Reinstate Birth at the CHI Birth Center, Lincoln NECHI has discontinued offering births at the CHI Birth Center in Lincoln. This is currently the only birth center in Nebraska. This decision takes away the only out-of-hospital option for families. We find this egregious and wish to see CHI reinstate births at the center.Nebraska Birth Choice Advocates4307/29/24
Urge Michelle Obama to Run for Vice PresidentWith a heavy heart, I am penning this petition, fearful of the state of our beloved USA where leadership has been wrestled away by those who sully the noble concept of public service. As a concerned citizen, I believe it's time we placed hope and trust in a proven leadership figure that embodies strength, dignity and compassion - a lady who needs no further introduction; Michelle Obama. I am inviting you to join me in urging her to run for Vice President.Michelle Obama, the former First Lady, is widely received across the globe for her intelligence, influence, and her unfaltering resolve to improve the livelihoods of countless individuals. Throughout her tenure, she ensured access to education for girls around the world through her Let Girls Learn initiative. She has also been a forefront advocate for leading healthy lives as evident from her Let's Move! campaign against childhood obesity. These are but a few examples of Michelle Obama's dedication to public service.I understand she has expressed a reluctance for politics, but the daunting times we're in call for a leader of her caliber. It is her constitution, her unwavering moral compass and her undeniable sense of duty that would restore our nation's standing and offer us recovery from the past. Michelle Obama running for vice president is not simply a personal wish but a heartfelt plea shared by hundreds of millions across the United States who would be excited to cast their vote for her. We owe it to ourselves and to our future generations to put forth a candidate who exudes integrity, knowledge and the fervor to champion the rights of all citizens. Let's appeal to Michelle Obama to take this stance and be the beacon we need in these trying times. Please join us. Sign this petition today. Michelle Obama is the qualified choice that will excite, inspire, and motivate the country and lead us all to better, safer, happier times. Please help me show her how much we want her, this is an emergency.Brian Herndon4127/4/24
Guarantee Abortion as a Constitutional Freedom!As someone deeply affected by the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, I am compelled to fight for the rights and freedoms that are being stripped away from us. The United States Supreme Court's decision has opened the floodgates for Republican politicians to push for a nationwide abortion ban in the form of an Amendment to the U.S Constitution. This proposed amendment does not even consider exceptions in cases of rape or incest, which is utterly appalling.The fact that these politicians can propose an Amendment outlawing abortion but fail to implement common sense gun control laws is nothing short of pathetic. It is a stark reminder that our voices need to be louder and our actions more decisive.According to Guttmacher Institute, nearly one in four women in America will have an abortion by age 45 (Jones & Jerman, 2017). This statistic alone highlights how crucial it is for this procedure to remain safe, legal and accessible.We cannot stand idle while our rights are being infringed upon. We must take action now and demand that abortion be recognized as a guaranteed constitutional freedom. Stand with us today; sign this petition and let's ensure every woman has control over her own body!
Dante Medori44310/9/23
Victory!Stop the repeal of the Anti-FGM law in The GambiaStop The Gambia Members of Parliament from passing the Women’s Amendment Bill 2024 intended to decriminalise FGM and repeal anti-FGM law. Call on the new government to take a clear stand on the issue and publicly announce and strengthen the legislation on FGM. Female Genital Mutilation is a procedure where the female genital organs are intentionally altered or injured for non-medical reasons. It is often carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15. According to the UN, more than 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM in 30 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Middle East where it is mostly concentrated. From a Gambian context, research shows that 75% of women and girls between the ages of 15 and 49 years have undergone FGM. Despite this escalating prevalence, FGM is seen by many as a right of passage, cleanliness and a way of preserving dignity and social status. However, it has been found that FGM has no health benefits for girls and women and can cause severe bleeding, urinary problems, cysts, infections, complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths as well as psychological problems. FGM is a violation of the human rights of girls and women and is condemned by many international treaties and conventions as well as by national legislations in various countries. In December 2015, The National Assembly passed the anti-FGM law, criminalising the act of FGM, with up to three years imprisonment as a penalty. With a newfound democracy and of course a new government, the issue of FGM has reemerged for the law to be scrapped with prominent Islamic leader Abdoulie Fatty leading the crusade. We have also seen the way Imam Abdoulie Fatty and The Supreme Islamic Council and several imams and Oustass at home and abroad came to the defence of the two Niani Bakadagi women who were convicted for practicing female circumcision. Imam Abdoulie Fatty even went further to pay their fines, and then openly call on Muslims to violate the Women’s Act to practice FGM. They issued threats against anybody, or any institution standing against FGM and prayed that bad omen befalls them. This has led to the The National Assembly Member for Baddibu Central, Sulayman Saho, moved the motion of the day to repeal the ban justifying by calling on all the National Assembly Members to repeal the ban: “This is creating discord among those who practice it as a culture and religion. To my opinion, it should be a matter of choice rather than banning the act. Because of the funding being received from the West, if you are with the opinion that it affects the health of women, why not you support them with materials to promote hygiene and sanitation?” The National Assembly Member for Baddibu Central, Mr. Sulayman Saho Followed by other National Assembly members: “This House will bury the FGM law.I am calling on all Members of this House to come up with a private bill to repeal the law on FGM,” National Assembly Member, Foni Kansala, Mr. Almammi Gibba “I am ashamed to face men; being a Muslim to discuss such. We cannot condemn our tradition. Even the whites have their own tradition. We cannot impose what the people are not in for. They should not be segmented on it.” The National Assembly Member for Foni Berefet Ms. Amie Colley “These activists have caused us a lot. Now they want to use us. We are not for it. We are Muslims and we must practice it. I must teach my children and my neighbours.” The National Assembly Member, Lower Saloum, Mr. Sainey Jawara "Our curse is on those behind this, may God destroy them, and anyone who heard about this and is happy our curse is on you from now on until the judgement day. Any group that is behind this, may God destroy you..." Imam Abdoulie Fatty This followed by the The Supreme Islamic Council issued a fatwa in September 2023 in support of female circumcision saying, “Allah has decreed female circumcision,” and condemning those who denounce the practice, and even calling on “the Government to hold them accountable.” They quoted several unnamed sources to back their claim that FGM is Islamic and must be practiced. Conspicuously they have not quoted any Quranic surah or verse to back their claim. This year, Febuary 2024, The National Assembly Member, Foni Kanasala , Mr Almanmeh Gibba introduces Women’s Amendment Bill 2024 intended to decriminalise FGM and repeal anti-FGM law. Leading to the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly issuing apublic notice about the new bill stated: “This Bill seeks to lift the ban on female circumcision in The Gambia, a practice deeply rooted in the ethnic, traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs of the majority of the Gambian people. It seeks to uphold religious purity and safeguard cultural norms and values. The current ban on female circumcision is a direct violation of citizens’ rights to practice their culture and religion as guaranteed by the Constitution. Revoking the ban on female circumcision will allow people to indulge in the practice with all its precautions, guided by religion, diligence, and care.” Setting the National Assembly Members to debate The Bill that aims to repeal the anti-FGM law nearly a decade after it was passed. Whiles all these claims by the Imams, The Supreme Islamic Council, The Members of Parliament claims are different from historical findings and many Islamic scholars confirm that Female circumcision predates Islam, and it is not Islamic. The simple answer to this question is to ask if the daughters and wives of the Holy Prophet underwent female circumcision. Available evidence is that they did not. Hence regardless of how many pieces of Hadith one quotes, the simplest answer to this vexed question is to determine if the Holy Prophet did subject his women to the practice. Since he had not done so then one cannot Islamize FGM in anyway. What is evident from history and Islamic scholars is that FGM is a cultural practice. One can even find FGM being practiced among ethnic groups or families that are Christian or belong to other faiths further indicating that the practice is purely a cultural practice. For example, Mandinka, Fula, Karoninka, Serere or Jola Muslims and Christians practice FGM even though they belong to different religions. They do so not because of religion but because of their culture. For that matter, there is available evidence that female circumcision has potential harm on women. Apart from that, there is absolutely no religious, health, or moral benefit in female circumcision. It does not make a girl or woman better in any sense. There's nothing 'purifying' about the act. The Quran does not contain specific instructions regarding female circumcision. Unlike male circumcision, which is mentioned indirectly in the Quran through the story of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his sons, there is no parallel mention of female circumcision in the Quran. Many girls die as a result of blood loss or infection and a sizeable group of survivors will experience health problems for the rest of their lives. Is that really what you want for your daughters? Why therefore are The Members of The National Assembly, Imams, The Supreme Islamic Council and Gambian Muslim scholars insisting on subjecting Gambian girls to this harmful practice? Why? Hence, anyone found justifying the practice of FGM is inevitably promoting violence against and must therefore be dealt with accordingly. It is therefore paramount for the government to commission national FGM awareness campaign focusing on the health and legal aspects of FGM. As you are celebrating Womens Day The Gambia Members of Parliament are going to be debating a Women’s Amendment Bill 2024 intended to decriminalise FGM and repeal anti-FGM law. Match with us, celebrate with us and other Gambian Human Rights Activists, Gender Activists, Feminists in calling for the The Gambia Government to take a clear stand on the issue and publicly announce and strengthen the legislation on FGM. The Government must also ensure that the law is clear in its definition so that people know what acts or omissions are criminal in nature. Stop The Gambia Members of Parliament from passing the Women’s Amendment Bill 2024 intended to decriminalise FGM and repeal anti-FGM law. Kindly help sign our petition. Thank you Concerned Gender Activists
Ndey Jobarteh3,1033/3/24
Implement Services for Intimacy Needs of Disabled Adults in VermontAdults with disabilities often face more significant challenges in exploring their own bodies and achieving intimacy, often sidelining them as a marginalized community within society. Understanding that our basic limits and needs are founded on Maslow's Pyramid of Self-Actualization, we realize that intimacy must be considered as another fundamental requirement for adult life, particularly for those with disabilities. While it's an uphill battle for anyone to reach intimacy, people with disabilities find it even harder to navigate through. In several countries worldwide, systems and services have been developed to allow people with physical disabilities to explore their bodies in a safe and respectful manner. Unfortunately, such services remain virtually absent in the United States, casting aside the particular needs of a group that anyone can potentially belong to at any point in life. The State of Vermont, like the rest of America, lacks formalized programs that cater to the intimate needs of disabled citizens. According to the Vermont Department of Health, at least 10.9% of adults in the state have a disability. That's more than one in 10 people who might struggle with intimacy issues due to their conditions (2019 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System). The United States prides itself on its commitment to equality and human rights, so we urge the State of Vermont to recognize the necessity of such services and take pioneering steps within the country. We ask the state to develop and implement appropriate services that will provide adults with disabilities the opportunity to acknowledge and explore their bodies, offering them a chance to attain intimacy in safety and dignity.Join us to advocate for the rights and needs of this oft-overlooked community. It's not just about improving the quality of life for disabled adults—it's about creating a more inclusive, compassionate, and understanding society. Please sign this petition to support our cause. To see a story about a successful intimacy program in Canada, please check out this video: https://youtu.be/KZXTXAiLVas?si=QVM-Jk6Cc-TOjiDjOwen Dybvig657/26/24
MAKE INCEST ILLEGAL IN RHODE ISLANDHi I recently took a vacation with my family in Eastham MA and my neice (20) and daughter (14) encountered a well known creep on the internet. He is from RI and admitted to having intercourse with his 21 year old daughter on a youtube video. I was appauled when I found this out so I googled his history and turns out incest is legal in the state of RI at the age of 16 with consent. I was sick after reading this. First offno 16 year old makes wise decisions and clearly they have childhood trauma if they are a part of this. Incest should be ILLEGAL in all states!!! This is just beyond disturbing to me! If we pass a law to make incest illegal it will at least intimidate some people from even doing itto begin with. Also these children definitely have encountered child trauma before "agreeing to such act at 16 years old". If this is only legal in 2 states including RI & New Jersey dont you think theres a huge problem here??? Passing the law would at least help protect people in the future that are introduced to this kind of behavior so that they know it is not ok! I feel extremely bad for all the people that have to live thru this mental and physical pain! We all know that minors are easily manipulated and made to feel like they have to act a certain way. This could help save many lives of people who have to endure this kind of abuse like it is ok!!Melinda Pratt617/26/24
Protect Abortion Access in Beverly Hills!In August, the LA Times reported on allegations that Beverly Hills city officials, including the Mayor and Chief of Police, colluded with landlord Douglas Emmett and antiabortion radicals to block an all-trimester clinic from opening in the city. We are asking the city to do the right thing and protect our access to legal, life-saving healthcare with the following: An independent investigation and public disclosure into communications between Beverly Hills City Officials, the Beverly Hills Police Department, Douglas Emmett, and the antiabortion extremists. Resolve the DuPont Clinic's situation so that they can open their doors asap. Pass an ordinance prohibiting city agents and agencies from using city resources to cooperate with out-of-state entities related to abortions performed within California state. WHAT HAPPENED?Reproductive rights are under assault across our nation. With 22 states banning abortion, Beverly Hills, CA has been thought to be a safe haven. In May of 2022, the Beverly Hills City Council Members released a public statement in support of Reproductive Freedom. When Roe was overturned, Beverly Hills City Hall was lit up in pink as an act of protest. These public assurances led the Washington, D.C. based DuPont Clinic to choose Beverly Hills to open a west coast office. Beverly Hills is a vital medical care hub for residents throughout LA County, and this clinic would be only the 14th all-trimester clinic in the country. Late term procedures are rare - only ~1% of abortions are late-term, and they are performed due to late diagnosed catastrophic health issues for the fetus and/or the mother. Douglas Emmett, a Santa Monica real estate trust investment company, was fully aware of the clinic's services when DuPont signed a lease with them in 2022 and began construction of the clinic. Construction was moving along until an antiabortion group got wind of the clinic and came into the city to oppose the opening. A small number of protesters attended City Council meetings last spring, with demands to close the clinic. The Mayor of Beverly Hills allegedly met with this group privately, and the Beverly Hills Chief of Police sent a letter to Douglas Emmett warning of further harassment and possible threats of violence. In the face of this pressure, Douglas Emmett terminated DuPont’s lease. As residents, we are extremely concerned about these events. IT IS CLEAR THAT BEVERLY HILLS DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR SUPPORT FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND WOMEN’S EQUALITY. This failure to uphold the law is an erosion of public trust. The loss of DuPont Clinic further diminishes access to vital healthcare for those in the greater Los Angeles area, the state of California and all over the country. Further, the city has set a very dangerous precedent. When learning that the landlord terminated the lease, the leader of the antiabortion protest proclaimed “Now, we will shut down abortion clinics from sea to shining sea.” This emboldens all extremist groups to use tactics of harassment to reach their desired goals. In an August 24 op-ed, the LA Times editorial board called this "appalling." We agree. Please sign this petition asking the City of Beverly Hills for: An independent investigation and public disclosure into communications between Beverly Hills City Officials, The BHPD, Douglas Emmett, and the antiabortion group. Resolve the DuPont Clinic situation so that they can open their doors asap. Pass an ordinance prohibiting city agents and agencies from using city resources to cooperate with out-of-state entities related to abortions performed within California state. We sincerely hope you will support us in our efforts to support Reproductive Rights, The Rule of Law and restoring public trust in our City Officials. Sincerely,BHforChoice Please note: change.org will prompt you for a donation but we are not asking for or collecting donations. The money goes to change.org, and apparently change.org uses it to promote the petition.Beverly Hills For Choice3,8449/24/23
Encourage Bernie Sanders to Run for President as the Democratic CandidateI am deeply convinced that Bernie Sanders is the best candidate to defeat a potential re-election of Donald Trump. With President Joe Biden no longer seeking re-election, it's crucial that we support a candidate who can defend democracy and guide America away from the risk of sliding into a potential dictatorship, particularly if Donald Trump wins a second term and implements Project 2025, as it also represents the Plan for Trump's 2nd Term, which will not only hurt me but everyone in America, even the Trump Loyalists, and even the entire world: National abortion ban Restrict In vitro fertilization (IVF) access Family separation Muslim ban Tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy Replace civil servants with MAGA loyalists Guns in classrooms Order prosecution of political opponents Pardon January 6 insurrectionists Trump's Plan for "ABORTION" during his 2nd Term: Reverse the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) approval of abortion medication. Invoke a 150-year-old defunct law called the Comstock Act to ban the shipment of abortion pills, enacting a de-facto national abortion ban. Compel states to report the "reason" for every abortion performed within their borders. Allow states to ban employers from providing health benefits that cover abortion care. Trump's Plan for "CLIMATE CHANGE" during his 2nd Term: Withdraw from the U.N. Framework Convention on climate change and the Paris Climate Agreement. Repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, President Biden's landmark climate law. Shred greenhouse gas regulations and gut clean energy programs. Replace the White House climate advisor with someone focused on boosting the fossil fuel Industry. Give Trump the power to reject all climate science research directed by the Biden administration. Trump's Plan for "EDUCATION" during his 2nd Term: Reverse the Biden administration's student debt relief efforts Trump's Plan for "HEALTH CARE" during his 2nd Term: Put Medicare on the path to privatization. Repeal President Biden's Medicare drug price negotiation program. Threaten Medicaid coverage for hundreds of thousands of Americans. Trump's Plan for the "FEDERAL GOVERNMENT" during his 2nd Term: Gut the federal workforce and install loyalists by making tens of thousands of civil servants fireable at Trump's will. Allow Trump to deploy the military against American citizens. Trump's Plan for "TAXES" during his 2nd Term: Further lower taxes on big corporations. Trump's Plan for "FOREIGN AID" during his 2nd Term: Cease support for international organizations that promote LGBTQ+ equality Remove all references to "abortion," "reproductive health," and "sexual and reproductive rights" from U.S. Agency For International Development's materials. Trump's Plan for "LGBTQ+ RIGHTS" during his 2nd Term: Make the federal government establish marriage between a man and a woman as the "ideal, natural family structure" Withdraw federal anti-discrimination protections for transgender students Reimplement Trump's transgender military ban and expel transgender service members Trump's Plan for "IMMIGRATION" during his 2nd Term: Allow ICE to conduct raids at schools, churches, hospitals, playgrounds, and other sensitive areas Trump's Plan for "INFRASTRUCTURE" during his 2nd Term: Repeal President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law All that is just the Tip of the Iceberg, I bet my Bottom dollar that there is more that Trump doesn't want to reveal to the public for fear of losing Supporters. Now Bernie Sanders's track record in the Senate illustrates his strong dedication to advancing economic equality, addressing climate change, and other issues important to the American people and even the world. A 2019 poll conducted by the Economist/YouGov showed that 57% of respondents favored Sanders, indicating strong public support for his leadership. I urge Bernie Sanders to run for President and help our country navigate away from political turmoil and potential autocracy. Please sign this petition to show support for Sanders's vision for our nation and encourage him to seek the Democratic nomination for the next U.S. President.
Jeffrey Barkdull267/21/24
STOP PROJECT 2025! Vote Trump, vote terror! Don't watch as queers suffer!Hello! My name is Alex, and I am a proud part of the LGBTQ+ community. I am both transgender and pansexual. Millions of Americans are part of the growing community that LGBTQ is, from teenagers to senior citizens. Along with that are even more people who have been raped or are far too young to have children. They require abortion. Well, in case you haven't heard, if Donald Trump gets elected in 2024, the government will pass a bill called "Project 2025". Now, you may ask, "What is Project 2025?" Project 2025 is a bill claiming that discrimination against folks in the LGBTQ community will be legal. Abortion care will be cut, and medicaid and medicare funding will be cut as well. If this law gets passed, many queer people will be under scrutiny by law. People who have been raped have no where to go! This all unfolds as Trump sits on his chair scrolling through Twitter. Though, if this doesn't get passed, millions of United States citizens who are part of these groups will be saved from the pure bias and insanity that bill is. Please take action by signing this petition ⚠️🚨! We stand united as a community and we will stay standing until we're the last ones here! Sincerely, Alex.
Alex Muneer347/20/24- Implement a Menstrual Hygiene Products Program in Katy ISD School BathroomsThe lack of access to period products can lead to significant difficulties for students, including missed class time. One in five girls in the U.S. have left school early or missed school entirely because they did not have access to period products (Always' "Ending Period Poverty" study). We can make a difference in Katy ISD and end period poverty by implementing a period product basket/dispenser program in the school bathrooms. This petition calls for such a program in our junior high and high schools. Having access to free menstrual hygiene products in our school restrooms would ensure that no student misses out on their education because of their period. We have schools within Katy ISD classified as Title 1, meaning that the school receives federal funding to help all students meet academic performance standards. Implementing this program will prioritize students' health and well-being, which is essential in these schools and district-wide. A district-funded menstrual hygiene program would promote equality and acknowledge that menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege. Please join us in advocating for this vital change. Sign the petition to inform the Katy ISD school board that we support implementing a period product basket/dispenser program in our school bathrooms.Vyshnavi Kolli4737/19/24
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