Category: Ending Violence Against Women

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the Information Age: How Much is Too Much?

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Yesterday NOW issued an Action Alert asking you to urge your members of Congress to support the Girls Protection Act (H.R. 5137), which would make it a crime to transport girls outside the U.S. for the purpose of cutting their genitals. Illegal in this country, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a horrific and brutal violation of human rights — cutting off all or some of a woman’s or girl’s genitals so as to make her “clean.”

NOW Congratulates Sewell on Strong First-Place Finish in Alabama Primary

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Alabama voters cast their ballots for Terri Sewell on Tuesday, giving her a first-place finish in the state’s Democratic Party primary. Sewell received 37 percent of the vote and will face Shelia Smoot, who garnered 29 percent of the vote, in a July 13 runoff. NOW’s Political Action Committee proudly endorsed Sewell, a first-time candidate for public office, early in her campaign. Sewell is running for an open seat in the House of Representatives from Alabama’s 7th Congressional District.

“NOW congratulates Terri Sewell, and we look forward to continuing to work together toward a win in July and again in November,” said NOW President and NOW PAC Chair Terry O’Neill. “Early support for women candidates is critical to their success. We must continue backing women like Terri Sewell if we hope to achieve gender parity in government.”

NOW Hails Votes to End Discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Policy, Says Bill Does Not Go Far Enough — Discharges Should End Immediately

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Yesterday the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to end the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy that has barred lesbians and gay men from serving openly in the military.

“This has been a long time coming. More than 14,000 service members have had their careers cut short,” said NOW President Terry O’Neill. “While NOW applauds the action taken by Congress, we believe that it does not go far enough.”

NOW Congratulates Joe Sestak on Pivotal Win in Pennsylvania Primary

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Last night, Rep. Joe Sestak achieved a pivotal victory in Pennsylvania by besting 30-year incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the state’s Democratic primary. After two previous endorsements for the House of Representatives, the NOW Political Action Committee enthusiastically endorsed Sestak for his Senate run.