There really are so few shows on US TV like PBS’ To The Contrary that analyzes news on women’s rights from diverse female perspectives. This week we talked about female genital mutilation (FGM) rising in the US, Clinton vs Warren and the Hobby Lobby family wanting to build a church on the National Mall.
The issue of FGM in the US really hit home for me. During my advocacy days on Capitol Hill, reinstating US funding to UNFPA, the largest UB agency to deal with FGM on the ground, was a huge part of our campaign to apply US foreign policy to protect the health and rights of women around the world. The UN agency was heavily targeted, and defunded, by the US during the Bush years, despite Congress appropriating UNFPA funds.
I had a lot to say about the talk regarding if Elizabeth Warren could potential steal some of Hillary Clinton’s thunder for 2016. Why does it have to be either or and not both women? America is currently ranked 75th in the world for the number of women in government. I think the ore women we see who are qualified for the top job running for the top job is sending a great message to all women, around the world.
For more on my thoughts and those of my fabulous fellow panelists, watch the full show below. What an asset for women to have a program that focuses on our news and analysis- by women for women.