What’s Current: Australian women win mesh implant class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson

  • An Australian court ruled in favor of women who suffered debilitating health consequences as a result of pelvic mesh implants. According to court testimony, Johnson & Johnson used women as “guinea pigs,” as testing prior to market release was deficient. Complaints of side effects were not investigated; additionally, the company worked to prevent the publication of reports warning against the implants.
  • Former UK police officer Harry Miller, who is under investigation for his Twitter activity, told the high court of London that recording dissenting views on gender identity as hate speech imposes a “substantial chilling effect” on freedom of expression. Miller has initiated legal action against the College of Policing in response to their guidance that criticisms of gender ideology be treated as hate speech under law.
  • Hillary Clinton responds to backlash against her comments saying gender identity legislation poses a “legitimate concern” for women, posting on Facebook:

“In a time when we’re living through a crisis of violence toward transgender women of color that’s getting worse instead of better, cruel decrees from the White House about transgender Americans who serve our country, and an era when bullying and discrimination are being elevated like never before, it’s clear that we have urgent work to do. This is a moment for every single one of us to affirm that transgender people deserve equality, safety, and opportunity. Millions of people see you, and stand by you.”

  • Bogaletch Gebre, Ethiopian campaigner against female genital mutilation, passed away in Los Angeles. Described by the London Independent as “the woman who began the rebellion of Ethiopian women,” Gebre devoted her life to ending FGM, bridal abduction, and domestic violence against women.
  • The Baltimore Museum of Art commits to purchasing artworks from women only for the upcoming year. The decision is part of a larger campaign by the museum to feature women artists and to commemorate the centenary of US women’s suffrage.
Genevieve Gluck

Genevieve Gluck is a writer and advocate for women's sex-based rights and creator of Women's Voices, an audio library dedicated to bringing awareness to feminist texts and speeches.