Welcome to this week’s Newsroom roundup! This week we discussed current events at the local, national, and global scale through a feminist view; specifically, we discussed trans students’ rights in Virginia schools, domestic abuse, and women’s right to education in Afghanistan.
Local News
In mid September, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced a new policy that would impact the rights of trans students’ in public schools. First, students would no longer be able to go by a name or pronouns that differ from their birth certificate unless their parents give approval, and second, students would be forced to use bathrooms and take part in activities that conform to their sex assigned at birth. These new policy directly violate a 2020 SCOTUS decision and the VA Human Rights Act that both provide protection for trans individuals against discrimination. Since the announcement, students across the state have been taking part in school wide walkouts and protests in response to the policy.
Sources
The Washington Post: VA Student Walkouts
The Washington Post: VA Governor Youngkin Policy Proposal
National News
The month of October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), which is held each year as a way to bring awareness to this issue. During this month advocates and work together to support survivors and advocate for necessary provisions as well as programs within our society as well as the government. Domestic Violence is an issue faced across the globe to a variety of individuals. There is no one cause, therefore, it is vital to take an intersectional approach when we are working to end domestic violence. Relevant policies working to address these issues include the Violence Against Women Act. This act was the first federal legislation “acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes”. This act serves as a vital resource and platform in order to address this issues and support survivors of domestic abuse.
Sources
The Hotline: The What, Why, and How of DVAM
NNEVD: Reflecting on Our History
Global News
On September 30th, a tragic bombing occured in Kabul, a Haraza community, in Afganistan. The sucicide bomber targeted female college students, and killed 53 women in a college tutoring center. Following the bombing, Afgan women protested on the streets for three days, to voice concerns of discrimination and threats of geneocide. Last August, the Taliban took over the government and has since stripped various rights away from women. Such as denying women the right to education. Although the bomber is unidentified and not yet connected to any specific group, the protest was aimed towards the Taliban’s unfair treatment of these oppressed groups.
Sources
Afghanistan: 7 Facts About Women’s Rights After 1 Year of Taliban Rule
ShoutOut! James Madison University 