Link Roundup: The Rape Debate and Crisis in Egypt

Welcome to this week’s installment of Lilith’s Link Roundup. Each week we post Jewish and feminist highlights from around the web. If there’s anything you want to be sure we know about, email us or leave a message in the comments section below.

In the wake of the crisis in Egypt, women have been urged not to participate in the protests due to the increased safety risks. Despite the images in the news of men being the primary force behind the uprising, women have been very present in the protests. [Feminist Peace Network]

The House GOP recently stirred up major controversy when they proposed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act. The Act planned to drastically limit the number of federally funded abortions by changing the definition of “rape” to only include “forcible rape” cases. The bill also planned to limit incest-related abortions to women under 18. [Mother Jones]

In the face of harsh criticism, mockery, and a growing Twitter protest, the GOP was eventually forced to change the wording of the proposed bill. The bill will now use the same language as the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal funding for abortions through Medicaid except in cases of rape, incest, or to save a mother’s life. [Politico]

Is Facebook causing eating disorders? A new study from the University of Haifa found that “young women who frequently use the social networking site are more susceptible to eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.” [NY Jewish Week]

On March 8^th, Harvard University is hosting its second annual Feminist Coming Out Day. The event was inspired by National Coming Out Day. Harvard has recently partnered with Bitch Magazine in hopes of taking the event to a national level. [Feminist Coming Out Day]

American Jewish World Service is starting a campaign asking American Jews to stand in solidarity with Uganda’s LGBTI community following the murder of activist David Kato. To sign the pledge, visit http://ajws.org/lgbtistatement.