women's equality day.

today is women's equality day. sometimes i take it for granted how well we have it in this country: i can vote, i can go where i want, i can make my own decisions. this day is a beautiful one in the united states, but i want to acknowledge the women who face innumerable atrocities around the world. from female genital mutilation, the global gag rule (reinstated by george w. on his first day of office) to the impact of religious beliefs on women in afghanistan (see photo), there is clearly much we need to do. therefore, i urge you in addition to signing the petition to advance the rights of women in the us, take action now to support the treaty for the rights of women "supporting basic human rights for women around the world."

photo credit depicting an execution of an afghan women by a taliban in kabul: revolutionary association of the women of afghanistan.