Los votantes de Arizona apoyaron y aprobaron abrumadoramente la Proposición 139 la semana pasada, que consagra el derecho al aborto en la constitución del estado. La medida permitirá abortos hasta la viabilidad fetal, que es de unas 24 semanas. Pero Fatima Goss Graves, del National Women's Law Center, dice que si bien las medidas electorales que ampliaban el acceso al aborto ganaron en siete de los diez estados en esta elección, sostiene que todavía hay innumerables maneras de restringir y alterar aún más el acceso al aborto, incluso a nivel nacional.

"Hay una larga lista de formas de abordar el control de la natalidad, los tratamientos de fertilidad, nuestra capacidad de controlar nuestros propios cuerpos y ser completamente iguales en esta sociedad. Sabemos que ese camino será largo y duro," insistió además Graves.

Si bien Arizona aún no ha convocado oficialmente la carrera presidencial, el expresidente Donald Trump lidera a la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, cuya campaña se centró en gran medida en el derecho a la libertad reproductiva. Graves argumenta que el presidente electo Trump ha prometido vetar una prohibición nacional del aborto y distanciarse del manual conservador conocido como Proyecto 2025. Agrega que los defensores de los derechos reproductivos, como ella, esperan que la próxima administración cumpla esas promesas de campaña.

El estado tiene una serie de restricciones y leyes sobre el aborto que entran directamente en conflicto con la Proposición 139. Hasta que la gobernadora Katie Hobbs certifique oficialmente los resultados de las elecciones a finales de este mes, los defensores del derecho a decidir expresan que probablemente presentarán impugnaciones legales para considerar las restricciones actuales como inconstitucionales. En un comunicado, la campaña It Goes Too Far, un grupo que se opone a la medida, explica que "la lucha contra las leyes extremas sobre el aborto continuará". Monica Simpson está con el SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Ella añade que si bien todos los ojos deben permanecer puestos en la administración Trump, sus defensores también deben seguir impulsando "programas poderosos".

"Quiero que podamos encontrar un equilibrio al hacer eso y trabajar juntos como organizaciones y entidades que somos, para poder asegurarnos de darnos el poder y el combustible que necesitamos durante estos próximos cuatro años," enfatizó también la miembro de SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective.

Simpson menciona que si bien es crucial estar atento a nivel de políticas, la promoción también será una parte clave de la lucha en el futuro.

Apoyo para esta historia fue proporcionado por la Carnegie Corporation of New York


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Texas lawmakers passed the Life of the Mother Act during the legislative session. It was billed as legislation to clarify when doctors in the state can legally perform an abortion.

Texas adopted one of the most restrictive abortion bans in 2021. The ban allows the procedure only if the life of the mother is in danger or there is a risk of impairment of a primary bodily function.

Houston-based OB/GYN Dr. Damla Karsan said, despite the "clarification," medical professionals are still hesitant to provide care in most cases.

"It's been frustrating, because I feel restricted in my ability to offer them the full scope of options for their care," said Karsan. "I know it's really had a chilling effect on all my colleagues, and myself as well."

Karsan was involved in two legal challenges to the abortion ban, including the case of Kate Cox.

The Houston mother of two received national attention after traveling to another state to have an abortion after it was determined her third child would not survive.

Backers of the new legislation say it ensures women who have medical emergencies can get an abortion.

It defines "life-threatening" as a condition that's capable of causing death or serious injury. A survey of OB/GYNs in the state shows 60% of those who responded fear legal repercussions.

Karsan said if women need abortion care, there are organizations available to help.

"I direct a lot of people to the National Network of Abortion Funds," said Karsan. "Their website can connect you if you want to donate, if you want to volunteer, but also if you're looking for care. As usual it's the poor, the disenfranchised that are going to suffer the most."

According to the survey, many doctors are leaving the state or going into early retirement because of the abortion ban.




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Fighting for a wide range of people with a skill for compromise, is how Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Brooklyn Park, is being remembered for following her assassination Saturday.

A civic engagement group said she was a shining example of a woman in politics. Hortman's murder is seen by political observers as a stunning and tragic example of the increasingly violent tone surrounding public office in America. Hortman served as Minnesota House Speaker from 2019 until earlier this year, leading Democrats during power-sharing negotiations with Republicans in an evenly-divided chamber.

Michelle Witte, executive director of the League of Women Voters of Minnesota, said Hortman stayed true to the mission of an elected official.

"Obviously, (a) rise to power but also just being in the community working at all levels, at the local level to engage people in issues that are important to them," Witte recounted.

Witte noted Hortman's willingness to make tough decisions was on display this spring when finalizing a new budget, as she received pushback from her own party during the negotiations. Witte pointed out Minnesota still has gaps in electing women legislators, despite having more female politicians than over half the states in the U.S.

She added Hortman was among the most notable women in politics statewide, with others including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn.

In 2023, Hortman was credited for spearheading several major policies including paid medical leave, abortion protections, and a universal school meal program. While this year's power-sharing agreement with Republicans did have moments of friction, Witte said Hortman's arrangement with GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth was symbolic of women succeeding in the world of politics.

"The League of Women Voters, we actually made a card out of the great handshake between Melissa Hortman and Lisa Demuth when they reach their power-sharing agreement," Witte recalled. "I was so proud of that because that is what we really work for at the League, is seeing that working together."

Witte hopes voters pay more attention to those examples of bipartisanship and appreciate elected leaders who go above and beyond to serve the public. She acknowledged the attacks on Minnesota lawmakers may make people feel anxious about taking part in democracy, adding the country needs to promote voter safety and prevent future candidates from being silenced.


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Women college graduates are not sticking to traditional compatibility traits when choosing a husband, according to one study. Preferences are changing as economics play a larger role.

American Institute for Boys and Men data say female college graduates have difficulty finding equally-educated partners.

University of Indianapolis Sociology Professor Amanda Miller, PhD, said historically, college-educated women married within the same circles.

Instead of foregoing marriage entirely, Miller explained, more are deciding on "exogamy" - marrying outside their social group.

"They're dipping down into a group of men who do not have a college education, but who do make a good living financially," said Miller. "College-educated women - if they can't find a man who has a degree - they're marrying, for example, someone who's a general contractor and has his own business, or a union pipefitter who makes a really good living."

The study found that marriage rates for college-educated women remain stable, even as their primary partners -- college-educated men -- become scarce.

Only about 50% of college-educated women marry a man at the same education level, while roughly 25% marry someone without a college degree. Another 25% remain single.

According to the research site World Population Review, in Indiana 50% of men and almost 48% of women are married.

Miller said remaining single or having a baby out of wedlock no longer carries the stigma it has in previous generations.

She added that the "working class" often has conservative or very traditional family values, and most people's beliefs and behaviors don't always go together.

"So, if you ask people with a high school diploma or perhaps an associate's degree or some college, 'Is it okay to have a baby out of wedlock? Is it okay to get divorced? Is it okay to cohabit?'" said Miller, "their answer is often 'no.' The flip side happens when we talk to the college-educated - they don't actually do those things themselves."

Miller also noted a decrease in women out-earning or being more educated than their husbands.

She observed that as college-educated women choose to marry men without college degrees, fewer working-class men marry women of a similar background.