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Women are Watching:
Indignation Over Potential Repeal to Gender Equity Reporting Law

On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the Pennsylvania House Education Committee will vote on a bill to repeal provisions of Act 82 which require public high schools, junior highs, and middle schools to fill out a reporting form once a year showing how schools are doing in achieving gender equity in their athletic programs .  Last year’s passage of the  reporting law was a victory for women and girls statewide who participate in athletics, and a sign of support more broadly for women and girls from a state legislature with a consistent track record and aggressive agenda of eroding women’s rights.

“We are stunned that repeal of this important bill is even up for a committee vote,” said Sue Frietsche, Senior Staff Attorney at the Women’s Law Project,   “No one who supports equality for women and fair opportunities for girls as well as boys should support this bill.” Contact members of the Education Committee in the Pennsylvania House - Take action!

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50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act
Equal Pay Today!

Fifteen national and state-based women’s rights legal organizations today are marking the 50th Anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 with the launch of the Equal Pay Today! Campaign. Read more about the Equal Pay Today! Campaign and what you can do.

Blog: How Long Will Equal Pay Take to Achieve?

Equal Pay Today! Media Advisory (June 10, 2013)

Join the Equal Pay Today! Campaign.


Covering More Pennsylvanians is a Good Deal!

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Respected Feminists Provide Insight On Kermit Gosnell Verdict

Carol Tracy and Kate Michelman Comment on Three Counts of First Degree Murder

Philadelphia, May 13th - This afternoon, jurors found Philadelphia physician and health care provider Kermit Gosnell guilty of murder. Gosnell practiced as an abortion provider and operated a health clinic in West Philadelphia for almost 40 years. Gosnell was arrested January 2011 for charges linked to gross medical malpractice. The trial began March 18, 2013, and jury deliberation began April 30, 2013. Gosnell was tried and convicted on three of the four counts of first degree murder and one count of involuntary manslaughter of his patient, Karnamaya Mongar....While conservative pundits claimed that the media (Go to full press release).

Victory for Domestic Abuse Survivors: Women’s Law Project Scores Win in Superior Court

The Pennsylvania Superior Court has affirmed that the General Assembly meant what it clearly stated when it adopted a law in 2006 requiring insurers to pay claims to innocent victims whose homes and automobiles are damaged by the intentional acts of their abusive spouses. See Opinion and more.

WLP Releases New Publications to Help Women's Reentry Process

The Women’s Law Project is pleased to announce the publication of two new booklets to help Philadelphia women reentering society from incarceration with their many legal needs.  Easing Reentry for Women in Philadelphia: Civil Legal Needs contains two parts, each in its own booklet. 

Part 1: General Reentry provides information and resources on topics such as Health Care, Housing, Employment, Public Benefits (Cash, Food, and Medical), Money, and Utilities. 
Part 2: Family Law provides information on child custody, DHS custody, child support, domestic violence, and divorce.  These self-help booklets are intended to provide general legal information and are not meant to be used as legal advice.

Take Action: Tell Your PA Legislators Not to Ban Health Coverage of Abortion in the Exchange

Three bills have been introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly—Senate Bill 3, House Bill 742, and House Bill 818— that aim to prohibit private insurance from offering coverage for abortion services in Pennsylvania’s Exchange, the new marketplace for insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Take Action NOW!

New Policy Brief: Advocacy to Improve Police Response to Sex Crimes

The Women’s Law Project started advocating to improve police response to sex crimes in 1999 when it led the reform of police practice in Philadelphia.  Our newly published Policy Brief (February 2013) describes the innovative strategies we have pursued at both the local and national level. See more resources covering Rape & Sexual Assault.

Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Women in Pennsylvania

A recent article in The Legal Intelligencer authored by the attorneys at the Women’s Law Project describes the profound and positive impact of the ACA on women’s health in Pennsylvania, which, as good as it is, is still not a panacea.  Read more...

Related Blog: United States Supreme Court has weighed in: The Affordable Care Act is here to stay

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