Stopping harassment at work, keeping contraception accessible, and waiting for Senate action on VAWA: Civic action to-do list for 4-22-19
3. A recent study showed that more than 58% of women in STEM reported sexual harassment, and women of color are particularly likely to experience sexual harassment and feel unsafe at work. Senators Kamala Harris (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and others recently introduced S. 1067, a companion to the House's H.R. 36 - Combating Sexual Harassment in Science Act of 2019.
In a nutshell: S. 1067/H.R. 36 provides for $17.4 million annually to fund federal research about sexism and discrimination in STEM and directs the National Science Foundation to update its professional standards.
Take Action: Contact your senators and representative and ask them to co-sponsor S. 1067/H.R. 36. Remind them that the #MeToo movement isn’t over and you are counting on their support to end all forms of sexual harassment in the workplace.
2. Nearly 95 percent of unintended pregnancies in the United States are caused by not using contraception. Legal contraception is a protected fundamental right in the U.S. - yet there are reports of pharmacists nationwide refusing to fill prescriptions for contraceptives or provide emergency contraception over the counter. Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced H.R. 2182 to ensure women's access to contraception.
In a nutshell: The bill requires pharmacies that sell FDA-approved drugs or devices to provide them to customers without delay, and if they are not in stock to either refer the customer to a pharmacy that stocks the item or to expeditiously obtain that item for the customer.
Take Action: Contact your representative and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 2182! Remind them that family planning is a personal matter and that a pharmacy has the duty to provide legal medications to customers!
1. The Violence Against Women Act of 2019 (HR 1585) contains modest and necessary improvements to the Act. It has already passed the House with bipartisan support– but has not yet even been introduced in the Senate. It is past time for the Senate to act!
In a nutshell: The Senate has the opportunity to pass a VAWA with important enhancements that protect and support survivors of gender based violence - but first they have to introduce the bill!
Take Action: Congress is out of session until April 29th – now is the time to visit your Senator in your home town office and ask them to ensure that a strong VAWA that mirrors H.R. 1585 is introduced and passed. If they care about stopping domestic violence and supporting survivors they will support these improvements. Women won’t stand for anything less.