First Female Muslim Judge, Sex Assault in the Military

Reproductive Rights

Abortion bill passes, 50-14 - The Spokesman-Review
When the House took up its business this morning, it jumped right back in to the abortion debate with SB 1482a, the bill to fine doctors who don't follow "informed consent" rules requiring women seeking abortion to be given state-funded literature. "It's noble, it is good, it will empower women and most importantly, it will save lives," said Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, the bill's House floor sponsor. That was McGeachin's closing debate, and with no further ado, the House voted 50-14 to pass the bill, which now goes to the governor's desk.

Women urged to use extra protection - News.com.au
It takes two to tango is the message behind a new national health awareness program urging women to doubly protect themselves from sexually transmitted disease and unwanted pregnancy. Launched in Sydney today by Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia, the program - called It Takes 2 to Tango - advises women to use both the contraceptive pill and condoms. The campaign was targeted at 16-25 year olds, who "are at the highest risk of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies", SH&FPA senior medical officer Kathy McNamee said. Nearly 17 per cent of Australian women fall pregnant in their teenage years, while more than 170,000 women have contracted chlamydia, an STD which can lead to infertility, since 2000, according to SH&FPA.

RU-486 Ruled Out in 1 of 2 Recent Deaths - AP
Health officials said Monday they have ruled out the abortion pill RU-486 in one of two deaths in women who had taken the drug. The second remains under investigation. The one death was unrelated to either abortion or use of the pill, the Food and Drug Administration said. The second woman showed symptoms of infection. Four other women have died of a rare but deadly infection after undergoing pill-triggered abortions.

General

Karpinski Raises Doubts About Military Sex Assault - Women's eNews
The highest-ranking official to lose a job because of the Abu Ghraib prison scandal is speaking out about sex assault in the military. But some advocates say she doesn't help the cause.

Politics

Rounded up - Salon.com
Nineteen-year-old Nadin Hamoui and her family were arrested and jailed for nine months after 9/11. Their visa had expired, but their real crime was being Syrian.

First female Muslim takes the bench - The Arab American
As the first Arab American to sit on the 3rd Circuit Court of Wayne County, Charlene Mekled Elder knows she plays an important role. Not only does she carry the weight of serious decision making, but she serves as a role model for Middle Eastern women around the globe. Appointed to the Wayne County 3rd Circuit Court by Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, Elder embarks on a new phase in her career at the age of 36 -- marked by a balanced commitment to her profession, her family, and her community. Also, she is the first Arab-American female judge in this circuit to speak Arabic fluently. Elder's press release says she is also the first female Muslim to hold a judicial position in the country.

International

Tehran to introduce all-women minivans - IranMania
Public transport authorities in the Iranian capital will soon introduce women-only minivans, amid regular complaints of harassment on ordinary mixed-sex buses and taxis, AFP reported. The new 11-seater minivans will also only be driven by women, Tehran bus chief Mohammad Ahmadi Bafandeh told the Etemad-Melli newspaper, promising that "women will have easier transport conditions" when the service starts in June.