Ok, ok I’ll admit it — from time to time I have been known to peruse the Indian matrimonial website Shaadi.com. Ok maybe more than just “from time to time.” Ok fine I’ll confess, I’ve considered paying to become a registered, paying member. This week, I’m very glad I never took that step.  Here’s why: [...]

When the New York Times recently asked “Are You as Fertile as You Look?” the question was rhetorical. The reporter suggested womenfolk are ignorant about their declining fertility because they confuse youthful looks with having youthful ovaries. It’s easy to judge women like the ones trotted out for this piece; in their late 30s through mid 40s, they [...]

The world population recently hit 7 billion. Funny story: when I was in Swaziland, King Mswati III gave a speech at the UN Population Fund Ceremony and lauded on how great it was that we were developing at such a phenomenal speed, and how he couldn’t wait until we reached 10 billion to celebrate again. [...]

The criminal justice system is designed with the dual intent of holding  those who break the law responsible for their actions and ensuring the safety of the public. Current criminal penalties for men who batter their partners, however, fall far short of what is needed to reach this ideal. Let’s take a common scenario: the [...]

Next week, Mississippi residents will get to vote on Proposition 26, the “Personhood Amendment.”  This would amend the Mississippi state constitution to include in its definition of “persons” all human beings from the moment of fertilization, cloning or functional equivalent thereof.  In Mississippi at least, the question of when does life begin would be answered [...]

October is a time of both fun and gore.   The buildup to Halloween entails stores brimming with spooky masks, big rubber snakes and spiders (if you happen to fear those things), thousands of calories of chocolate piled into small bags, and oversexualized costumes for children. Some of these are fun; some are not. Either way, [...]

You’re so sensitive. You’re so emotional. You’re defensive. You’re overreacting. Calm down. Relax. Stop freaking out! You’re crazy! I was just joking, don’t you have a sense of humor? You’re so dramatic. Just get over it already! Sound familiar? If you’re a woman, it probably does. Do you ever hear any of these comments from [...]

On October 31st, the world’s population will reach 7 billion.   With this historical  milestone in sight,  UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) has issued a call-to-action to renew our commitment to work for a healthier, more sustainable world.   How women and girls become change-agents in their own lives and how we empower them is crucial to [...]

“Mommy, I want to have a princess party this year for my birthday.” Suddenly the air was sucked out of the room and I waited for the oxygen masks to deploy from the ceiling as the living room nose-dived. “What?” I coughed out, wide-eyed to my 4-year-old daughter. “A princess party!” she smiled, cheekily. “And [...]

The argument remains: Do we, as women, still live in a male-dominated society? Or have we finally achieved a sense of equality? Perhaps this will be a debate that never ends, in a “chicken or egg” cul de sac in which each side can produce convincing and fact-based arguments, but no conclusion is really ever [...]