In my last post, I discussed Michelle Bachmann’s support to cut funding for Planned Parenthood. The bill was first introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Mike Pence (R-IN) to stop the funding of Title X programs. While the bill doesn’t explicitly state that funding for Planned Parenthood is being attacked, Rep. Pence has made it quite clear in speeches that the bill is aimed at the organization (it receives a large portion of Title X funding). Unfortunately, this is only one prong of the “war on women.”
Emily’s List, an organization that works to elect pro-choice Democratic women into Congress, has actively been e-mailing their supporters to sign a petition to stop said war. I’ve received about five e-mails just in the past two days asking me to sign a petition telling the Republican’s “NO.” Emily’s List has partnered with moveon.org Political Action to protect women and these e-mails are part of this campaign.
Some of these attacks include redefining rape, a proposed law in South Dakota that would make it legal to murder doctors that perform abortions, and a push to cut all funds from the only federal family planning in the country. These are just a few of the programs that exclusively target women. They’re even proposing to cut $1 billion in funding for Head Start. Head Start is a program that allows low-income children to go to pre-school, when otherwise their families wouldn’t have the funds to send them since there aren’t any public pre-schools. This $1 billion would result in over 200, 000 children losing their spots. Some of you may be saying that these are pretty bold claims, where’s the evidence? The “Stop War on Women” website cites at least one source for every claim. In this particular blog post I would like to focus on the cut of Title X funding, the redefinition of rape, and the decrease in funding for Head Start.
Title X Funding: Emily at Gipper’s Chutzpah questioned my claim a couple of weeks ago that Planned Parenthood was a vital resource for low income women. I firmly stand by my belief that Planned Parenthood clinics essential. Not only are they extremely accesible but they provide services to these women that they would never get otherwise. While Planned Parenthood is widely known for their abortion services, that is hardly the only service they provide. They provide STD screenings, birth control, and cervical cancer testing (just to name a few). Without funding, the clinics couldn’t perform these services and many women would be living with undiagnosed STD’s as well as cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is easily treatable when caught early enough but without a convenient and inexpensive place to get this service, that is virtually impossible. By funding Planned Parenthood, unnecessary deaths are being avoided. Here is a video that shows how important this issue really is:
When there’s question regarding funding and it’s a matter of life and death, I personally always err on the side of life. In this case, cutting the funding for Planned Parenthood is leading thousands of women towards death without any remorse.
Redefinition of rape: A Republican state legislator in Georgia wants to change the legal term for victims of rape, domestic violence, and stalking to “accuser.” I find this absolutely appalling since it implies that the woman is making up the charge and decreases the seriousness of the matter. Rape, stalking, and domestic violence are all issues that can severely injure women not only physically but also mentally temporarily or in many cases, permanently. By changing the term to “accuser” it will deter women from pressing charges against the other party. Pressing charges is already a difficult thing for extremely vulnerable women in these situations and by placing another stigma to it, it will not help. Instead it will force these women to stay in the shadows and not get the help that they need. Not only will it hurt the women who are victims but it will also indirectly hurt all women. It means that these predators are still on the streets and what is going to stop them from committing the crime again since they didn’t get caught in the first place? This essentially is taking away the only thing that women in this situation may feel like they still own– their voice.
Cutting funding for Head Start: By slashing fundingfor this important program, it not only affects women but their children as well. Head Start gives aid to low income families so that their children can go to pre-school.With children in pre-school, more women have the opportunity to work and have a career. Their children are in good hands and they don’t have to worry about paying for daycare while they try to make a living. Pre-school is a vital part to children’s education because it sets the foundation for the rest of their life. Pre-school is not only where they learn how to hold a crayon correctly but also where they learn to interact and cooperate with others. Essential socializing skills are acquired when you have to share the swing set or building blocks with one of your classmates. So not only would this cut in funding hinder women from working during the day because they don’t have enough money to find someone to take care of their child but it also sets back the children. These children will be lightyears behind their peers when they enter kindergarten.
Once again, what’s disturbing is that these are only three of the issues that are being attacked by the GOP. As human beings I urge all of you to head over to “Stop the War on Women” and sign the petition against these proposals. These are not just women’s issues, but human right’s issue. Join the fight with these amazing U.S. senators and protect America’s women.
Empow(Her) 