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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Women in California and across the country earn an average of 82% of what men make in the first 10 years after graduating from college, according to a new study from the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Researchers found that a significant portion of this disparity is attributed to where people work - three-quarters of men are employed in the private sector, compared to only half of women.

Mary Gatta is the director of research and public policy at NACE.

"The top industries where men were employed were manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, the fire industries, architecture, and engineering," said Gatta. "Women are in education, health care, social assistance, and professional and technical services. So women dominate more in lower-paid industries."

Advocates say school districts should introduce boys and girls to all types of occupations, and in particular, encourage girls to take classes in science, technology, engineering, and math.

California has tried to shrink the pay gap through public policy. Companies in the Golden State are prohibited from inquiring about a candidate's previous salary range during the hiring process.

They are also required to disclose salary ranges in job postings or upon request.

Gatta said colleges should offer robust career counseling to prepare students as they enter the workforce.

"We also need to think about salary negotiation," said Gatta, "and helping remove any concerns that recent college grads might have about negotiating, helping prepare students for salary negotiation."

She added that establishing a higher salary from the get-go pays dividends for many years.

Conversely, the pay gap persists as women progress in their careers, so they contribute less to Social Security and receive lower payments in retirement.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.




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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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