Mental Health
When Dreams Are Put On Hold
In Afghanistan, women's blocked opportunities to have a career, contribute to society and earn a living are creating a mental health crisis.
Essays
History Lessons
Henrietta Lacks: A Moral Wrong That May Never Be Righted
Her name may not be a household name, but ‘HeLa cells’ from Henrietta Lacks's cervix changed the world.
Books
I Never Saw Myself in Romance Novels. Then, One Day, I Did.
Enthusiastic readers of romance novels would very much like to see themselves reflected on the page. When will the industry fully catch on?
Culture
‘The Fantasy Can Be Dirty, But the Values Must Be Clean’
Can porn be beautiful and ethical? Erika Lust says yes—unequivocally.
AI
Alexa, How Do I Stop This Meltdown?
AI can make our lives more efficient and streamlined, sure, but it can also make parenting easier.
Persisting Through Politics
How Will Women Protest In a Second Trump Term?
Pussy hats and memes might provide some emotional relief, but the real work will take place behind the scenes.
History Lessons
Why Can’t We Just Pass the ERA? It’s Complicated.
The Equal Rights Amendment is a simple 24-word piece of legislation. But it’s also a historic movement, more than a century in the making, that began with women’s suffrage and continues to this day.
Violence against women and girls
Bright Light. Big Smile. Her Name Was Debrina Kawam.
The story of the woman set alight on the New York subway is a reminder that everyone, even when they’re anonymous, is a somebody.
Women in Syria
Women Are Syria’s Best Hope for Lasting Peace. Will They Be Heard?
For years, Syrian women have fought to be heard in international negotiations. They aren’t about to give up ground now.
History Lessons
‘Women Should Have Children Instead of Poodles’—When Birth Control Came to Washington
The idea of birth control entered the national conversation in 1919, when an artist, activist, and single mother named Mary Ware Dennett brought the (quite shocking!) idea to Congress.
Sexual violence
As the Trial of ‘Mr. Every Man’ Draws to a Close, France Debates ‘Intent’ vs. ‘Consent’
The Pelicot trial pits the notion of intent against the concept of consent. The outcome could alter how these kinds of cases are handled in the future.
Culture
What Taylor Swift Taught Me About Aging
No age is the right age to be a woman. Unless, of course, you're Taylor Swift.
Beauty
A Rash On My Face Made Me Reassess My Relationship With Makeup. Here’s What I Learned.
Can you wear makeup and still call yourself a feminist?
Worklife
Permission to Fail
Failing is as much a part of freelancing as bragging about working from home in pajamas. But we don't all fail equally.
Design
What Is It About Boobs?
Some people like flowers on their homewares. Some like cute animals. I like boobs.
Culture
Not Ladylike to Laugh? Oh, Please.
For men to be funny, women don’t have to be unfunny. Both may chuckle.