Feminism: relevant and local

In a sharp, statistically packed op-ed in this weekend's Washington Post, Jessica Valenti of Feministing wrote a persuasive call to action. "Most people seem to think that outside of a few lingering battles, the work of the women's movement is done," she writes. The work is far from done, and among the salient facts to prove it are:

• More than 1 million women in the U.S. were raped in 2008.
• One third of all women murdered in the U.S. are murdered by their husband or boyfriend.
• Women serving in the military in Iraq are more likely to be raped by a fellow-soldier than they are to be killed by enemy fire.
• 85% of U.S. counties have no abortion providers.
• Women earn 76 cents to the dollar earned by men.

Valenti addresses the needs of women internationally, but points out that "this isn't a zero-sum game, and we can fight for our rights while fighting for women internationally as well... There is so much more work to be done. The truth is, most women don't have the privilege of being able to look at gender justice from a distance; they have no choice but to live it every day." -Sara