Press Releases

Rep. Frank's Bill Would Impose Dangerous, Unconstitutional Limits on Women's Health Care

June 18, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote today on H.R. 1797, which would ban abortion after 20 weeks, putting women’s lives and health at risk.

New Report Highlights Employers' Discrimination Against Pregnant Workers, Refusal to Make Basic Accommodations

June 18, 2013

Pregnant workers are facing discrimination on a routine basis, according to a new report released today by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) and A Better Balance (ABB). It Shouldn’t Be a Heavy Lift:  Fair Treatment for Pregnant Workers shows that many employers are refusing to make basic accommodations that they routinely give workers with disabilities or on-the-job injuries.

NWLC Submits Brief In Gilardi v. HHS, Supporting The Contraceptive Coverage Benefit

June 14, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) today submitted an amicus brief to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Gilardi v. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Senate Armed Services Committee's Provisions on Sexual Assault Are Insufficient, Says NWLC

June 13, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Yesterday, the Senate Armed Services Committee voted to strike a bipartisan provision of the National Defense Authorization Act advanced by Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand that would have given military prosecutors—not commanders—the power to decide which sexual assault crimes to prosecute and would have otherwise improved the military justice system.

Plan B Announcement Means Expanded Access to Safe and Effective Birth Control

June 11, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement filed in court on Monday night indicating that it will drop its appeal to block over-the-counter availability of Plan B One-Step for all women and girls.

NWLC Report Highlights Barriers that Reinforce the Wage Gap and Solutions to Close It, on 50th Anniversary of Equal Pay Act

June 10, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) On the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) today released a policy report outlining the barriers to achieving fair pay and practical steps to close it.

Women’s unemployment rate continues to decline; slightly less than half of job gains go to women, NWLC analysis shows

June 7, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Adult women’s unemployment rate declined to 6.5 percent in May, the lowest level since January 2009, but still more than two percentage points higher than at the start of the recession in December 2007, according to new analysis by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) of data released this morning by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Appeals Court Decision Expands Access to Emergency Contraception for All Women

June 5, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Earlier today, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must comply with a previous court decision making the two-pill emergency contraception available over the counter and without age restrictions.

NWLC Analysis: States With Minimum Wage at Federal Level of $7.25 Per Hour Have Largest Wage Gaps

June 5, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) The National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) today released new analysis that shows that the average gender wage gap in states with minimum wages above the federally mandated $7.

Rep. Franks Targets Women's Health and Reproductive Rights with Amended Bill

June 4, 2013

(Washington, D.C.) Today, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice favorably reported out Representative Trent Franks’ (R – Ariz.) amended legislation that would impose a nationwide ban on almost all abortions 20 weeks after fertilization.