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In this issue:
California and Minnesota Advance Sexuality Education
Two states, using different mechanisms of change experienced progress in March in their work toward securing comprehensive sexuality education for young people. In the first step forward, California’s State Board of Education established standards for sexuality education. And in a second effort, Minnesota’s legislature is considering legislation that would require comprehensive sexuality education in that state. Read More...
CDC Releases New Reports Showing an Increase in STD Prevalence, Increase In HIV Cases
A federal study released on March 11 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that one in four teenage girls is infected with an STI. The study was announced at the 2008 National STD Prevention Conference and is the first to assess the combined national prevalence of common STDs among adolescent females. Read More...
Conference Examines Women’s HIV/AIDS Risks in Pakistan
On March 3–4, 2008 a groundbreaking conference was held in Pakistan to discuss HIV/AIDS issues among women in the country. The event, Women-Focused Capacity Building on Advocacy and Awareness Raising about HIV/AIDS and Gender, was organized by the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA), in conjunction with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Among other topics, the conference focused on women’s increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS, women’s access to HIV/AIDS education, and women’s ability to negotiate safer sex practices. Read More...
52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women Held at United Nations
The 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was held at the United Nations Headquarters from February 25–March 7, 2008. The CSW is a functioning sub-body of the United Nations Economic and Social Council dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and advancement of women. Forty-five member states of the UN serve on this commission. The Commission continues to “emphasize national-level implementation of commitments made at the Fourth World Conference in Beijing and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly.” Read More...
U.S. District Court Dismisses Lawsuit against FDA over Nonprescription Sales of Plan B
On March 4, 2008, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia dismissed a lawsuit that sought to overturn a decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which allowed nonprescription sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B to women older than the age of 18. In its ruling, the court said that the plaintiffs failed “to identify a single individual who has been harmed by Plan B’s [over-the-counter] availability." Read More...
Editorials across the Country Voice Support for Comprehensive Sex Education
Spurred by the recent release of data from a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), newspapers across the country are using the editorial page to support comprehensive sexuality education. Read More...
Oklahoma Rejects Sexuality Education Bill Requiring Opt-In Policy and Banning Pro-Choice Groups
On March 12th, the Oklahoma State House of Representatives rejected HB 2628, a bill that would have both required parental consent in order for students to receive sexuality education in public schools and banned non-governmental agencies that provide abortion services or information from being involved in sexuality education classes. Read More...
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