A new movement has taken shape in the U.S. led by women of color, young women, poor women, lesbians, bi- and transgender people, immigrant women, incarcerated women—people who at one time were consigned to the margins of society. And this movement is winning victories conventional wisdom said were not possible.

The reproductive justice movement sits at the intersection of reproductive issues, LGBT rights, environmental justice, ending violence against women, HIV prevention, and more. So, with the faltering economy and rising unemployment, why is reproductive justice important now? Because:

• Its racially and generationally diverse leadership and base reflect the nation's changing demographics
• Women directly affected by reproductive injustices are leading the efforts to transform systems that impact their lives
• Its strong links to social justice issues inspire movements like those for labor and the environment to stand up for women in an unprecedented way

This issue of Tidings features recent reproductive justice victories from Tides grantees, projects, and partners.

Photo courtesy Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice

Policy Victories

The new administration is already demonstrating a commitment to reproductive justice, creating a post for global women's issues and supporting the UN statement on human rights, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Below are some notable recent victories, highlighting organizations that played key roles.

• From Tides grantee National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health: Obama Administration Moves to Rescind Bush Administration HHS Regulation that undermined women's health by allowing health professionals to deny basic services they personally deemed morally questionable.

• Rebecca Project's Anti-Shackling Coalition helped end the draconian practice of shackling incarcerated mothers during labor and post-delivery in federal correctional facilities; unfortunately, the practice endures in state prisons and local jails. Rebecca Project is a Tides grantee; Executive Director Malika Saada Saar will speak at Momentum '09.
  

• Native American and Alaska Native women are 2.5 times more likely than other women in the U.S. to be raped or sexually assaulted. The omnibus appropriations bill passed Feb. 23 included an increase of $235 million for the Indian Health Service and $85 million for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, a significant portion of which will address violence against women; Tides grantee Native American Community Board led this fight for many years.
  

• CA's Prop 4 would have mandated that teens obtain parental consent in order to access an abortion, a regulation which can lead to delayed medical care, self-induced abortions, even suicide. After successfully organizing to defeat the proposition, Tides grantee Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice produced How We Defeated Prop 4: Reproductive Justice at the Ballot Box (pictured right).

Three days of practical tools to reduce costs, gain greater efficiencies, & enhance community programs through shared space & services.

Disability Rights Fund RFP
Deadline: April 15
Tides project provides support to disabled persons' organizations; upcoming grants target Mexico, India, Ukraine.

Breakfast Book Party with Mike Lux
April 28, 9-10:30am
Tides San Francisco
Donors-only event. Lux is the author of the newly released Progressive Revolution. Co-sponsored by Tides and Women Donors Network.