Lithuanias parliament could soon vote on one of the most restrictive abortion bans in Europe. If it passes, pro-choice advocates predict women who cant afford to travel out of the country will turn to unsafe underground abortions.

After watching the vice - presidential debates last week Jane Marcellus is thinking about her own point of view. Shes decided that taunts and ridicule are bad for all women. Even if she wont vote for Palin, she can still respect her.

Barbara Lee nurtured memories of her grandmother voting into a lifelong commitment to women. Along the way she found putting women into elected office is key to gaining other victories. Second in a series on women funding serious political change.

With news readers feasting on $700 billion headlines this week, a variety of advocates were asked what portions of that theyd need to solve some social problems. Among the answers: eradicating world poverty for two years.

Sarah Palins media honeymoon quickly devolved into the candidates current call for less filtering. Sheila Gibbons says Hillary Clinton faced a much harsher press and Palin should expect tough scrutiny if she wants to be V.P.

Plenty of women are whistleblowers. And plenty lose custody unjustly. But a case in Florida is a rare double whammy, Michele Egan-Byron says. She lost custody of her son after she exposed wrongdoing at work.

A psychologist in a Congo hospital says decades of war have produced a rape-friendly culture with a double standard. While perpetrators go unpunished the victims, including children, are ostracized. Amnesty International has issued a new warning.

Barack Obama and John McCain have opposing approaches to providing more Americans with health insurance. Womens health advocates are pressing for more details and hope to raise the political temperature of health care reform before the election.

Women, in general, are often more vulnerable to a slowing economy. But Susan Feiner says female micro-depositors at the bottom of the global credit ladder might enjoy a net gain if the pace of globalization slows.

In an effort to fix its skewed sex ratio, India is mulling cash incentives for poorer families who have baby girls. But critics say the government would gain more by enforcing its 1994 law against feticide.

Swanee Hunt's passion is helping women move into political leadership. As she became involved in grassroots organizing, she began to think big about influencing politics as a major donor. First in a series on women funding serious political change.

With all eyes glued to the drama over the high-stakes Wall Street rescue effort, most overlooked the mourners for the failed $61 billion bill to boost infrastructure and subsidies for low-income people. But Vicky Lovell says women were badly hurt.

A black midwives' conference next week follows an AMA salvo against home-birth attendants. A conference organizer says black women need more of the holistic care midwives provide, not less. Third in a series on black maternal health.

At Europe's largest all-female boxing club, the sport is promoted as helping women and girls succeed in life outside the ring. One 10-year-old wants to build her muscles, even though she has little opportunity to take her sport to the highest level.

As policymakers craft a Wall Street bailout, budget experts with women's policy groups worry about the fate of public programs and hail some Democratic provisions. Some activists and pundits, meanwhile, reiterate protests against the Iraq war.

As policymakers craft a Wall Street bailout, budget experts with women's policy groups worry about the fate of public programs and hail some Democratic provisions. Some activists and pundits, meanwhile, reiterate protests against the Iraq war.