Scenes from the Hands Off Rally in DC (Madelyn Amos)

Students pose in the photo booth at NYFLC (Amelia Crawford)

Armed with the determination to shape their future, over 300 young feminists from across the country gathered at the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference to raise their voices, build feminist power, and fuel a movement. 

The National Young Feminist Leadership Conference (NYFLC), hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation, brought together student leaders, activists, and change-makers for a weekend packed with bold conversations, hands-on trainings, and an unshakable commitment to justice. From rallying for reproductive rights to strategizing around the Equal Rights Amendment, this was more than just a conference—it was a launchpad for action.

This year, students from 76 schools across 22 states converged in Washington, D.C. for a weekend of powerful workshops, panels, and strategy sessions designed to equip the next generation of activists for the fights ahead. Standout sessions tackled everything from the growing backlash against women, gender, and sexuality studies in higher education, to countering violence against reproductive health providers. Other popular panels explored the political weaponization of the trans community and the far-reaching human rights impacts of U.S. foreign policy.

The weekend culminated with Congressional Visit Day, as more than 100 students turned their passion into power by meeting directly with their representatives on Capitol Hill. The day kicked off with Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), who inspired the students with a powerful speech, followed by a dynamic panel of Hill staff, lobbyists, and feminist activists to demystify the inner workings of Congress and gave students the tools to advocate boldly and effectively for feminist policies where it matters most.

A central focus of the day was the urgent push to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in the U.S. Constitution. Students came prepared with drafted letters: thanking members that are already champions of the ERA and calling on others to step up and support constitutional gender equality.

After their Congressional visits, students gathered for lunch at the historic Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, which was home to the National Woman’s Party for more than 90 years. The students reflected on their experiences over the weekend and mapped out how to carry the momentum back to their campuses and communities.

Virginia State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy offered the students a stirring reminder of the legacy young feminists carry. “We were built for this moment,” she declared. “We stand on the shoulders of amazing women who came before us, who laid the foundation, who showed us the framework to never back down from a fight, to never say no, to never sit in the back, to make sure our voices are heard.”

As the conference came to a close, students didn’t leave with just inspiration—they left with a mission. Fueled by history and united in purpose, they returned to their campuses ready to organize, mobilize, and build feminist power in every corner of the country.

AREZU FAYYAZI | MARCH 24

The start of Spring marks a new school year in Afghanistan, but for millions of Afghan girls, the doors to education remain firmly shut. For the fourth consecutive year, the Taliban has upheld its ban on secondary and higher education for girls, a policy that UNESCO estimates has affected at least 1.5 million Afghan girls since 2021.

For over 1280 days, girls have been barred from attending school or seeking any kind of formal education outside their homes. For nearly four years, they have been restricted to their homes only. Additionally, the Taliban has imposed over 100 restrictive edicts, systematically controlling and limiting every aspect of women’s and girls’ lives in Afghanistan.

Setayesh, a 13-year-old Afghan girl, was one of millions of girls who were affected by the Taliban’s complete ban on education for girls. She shares, “I dream of becoming a doctor. These restrictions mean losing every opportunity in life.”

Moska, a 19-year-old Afghan student, also shares, “All the dreams I had for success and a bright future were suddenly shattered due to the political and social circumstances…I dream of one day being able to resume my education, progress in life, and contribute to the reconstruction of my country.” 

Ala, a 28-year-old artist and dental assistant, says that Afghan girls are “carrying an overwhelming weight of unfulfilled dreams. They are trapped in a world where doors are closed tighter with every passing moment.” 

Beyond the loss of education, their mental health has been severely deteriorating, too. According to a psychologist in Afghanistan after talking to several female patients, “a common theme is the ban from school, which can lead to feelings of isolation.” 

Despite the immense challenge that the Taliban has placed on Afghan girls who dream of obtaining an education, Afghan girls remain strong-willed. Some of them have pursued online education – though it is limited – despite risks from the Taliban. They continue to wait, and hope for a future where they can once again walk through school doors and reclaim their dreams. And despite risks, they continue to share their dreams of education and a different future. 

The international community must hold the Taliban accountable for the unjust restrictions placed upon Afghan girls. Although there have been condemnations of the Taliban’s policies, action has been limited. There needs to be pressure to enact and enforce change regarding this policy. Afghan girls must not wait for another year to pass where they are denied the right to an education. 

FMF students at a rally for abortion rights (Madelyn Amos)

GIOVANNA DESTEFANIS | MARCH 20

In a move that underscores the alarming consequences of Texas’ near-total abortion ban, state Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, a midwife accused of providing illegal abortion services. The charges of illegal performance of an abortion and practicing medicine without a license could lead to decades behind bars for Rojas, making her one of the first individuals criminally prosecuted under the state’s draconian anti-abortion laws.

Rojas, and her employee, Jose Ley, allegedly operated at least three clinics in the Houston area where authorities claim abortion procedures were performed. The clinics, which publicly advertised services such as ultrasounds and vaccines, are now the focus of Paxton’s latest anti-abortion crackdown, with his office filing a temporary restraining order to shut them down.

According to court records, Rojas was initially taken into custody in Waller County on March 6 for allegedly practicing medicine without a license and was later released on a $10,000 bond. However, on Monday, March 17, she was arrested again along with Ley and now faces felony charges. Their combined bond has been set at $2.1 million. Additionally, Paxton announced that he has filed a temporary restraining order to close Rojas’s clinics.

“In Texas, life is sacred,” Paxton declared in his statement, doubling down on his commitment to enforcing some of the harshest abortion restrictions in the country. But while Texas officials frame this prosecution as a victory for their so-called ‘pro-life’ agenda, reproductive rights advocates see it for what it truly is: a ruthless attack on bodily autonomy and a harrowing warning for those who dare to assist people seeking abortion care.

In Texas, the charge of practicing medicine without a license carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, while the performance of an abortion is up to 20 years. 

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Texas has led the charge in criminalizing abortion providers and restricting reproductive healthcare. The state’s law bans abortion at all stages of pregnancy, with only narrow exceptions for life-threatening conditions, exceptions that have been widely criticized as vague and insufficient.

The aggressive prosecution of Rojas highlights a critical and dangerous reality of the chilling effect these laws have on maternal healthcare providers. Midwives, doulas, and other healthcare professionals who serve pregnant people, especially in marginalized communities, now face the terrifying risk of criminal prosecution simply for providing compassionate care.

On Monday, March 17, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) Headquarters building, resulting in a standoff between USIP, DOGE, and law enforcement. Following these events, USIP has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, DOGE, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and USAID Administrator Kenneth Jackson.

“Attacks culminated in the literal trespass and takeover by force by Defendants, including representatives of DOGE, of the Institute’s headquarters building on Constitution Avenue,” the suit alleges. DOGE gained entrances to the building from a former security guard employed by a private security agency that USIP recently ended their contract with. Employees were forced out of the building while USIP’s leadership barricaded themselves on the building’s fifth floor to resist DOGE’s entry -- leading to the law enforcement breaking down the door.   

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell criticized this move by DOGE, “this conduct of using law enforcement, threatening criminal investigation, using armed law enforcement from three different agencies… why … Just because DOGE is in a rush?”

USIP was established through an act of Congress in 1984. Its primary purpose is to study peaceful resolutions to global conflicts. The organization’s creation is closely linked to the nuclear standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Since its founding, USIP has worked to protect and promote American values worldwide, utilizing the United States’ soft power and influence to prevent violent conflicts. It is one of several organizations dedicated to advancing peace and democracy. However, this changed when the Trump administration initiated its shutdown in February, deeming the organization “unnecessary.” Trump ordered its operations to cease and fired 11 of USIP’s board members, citing noncompliance with his executive order.

The issue at hand is that USIP is not a federal agency under Trump’s direct control. It was created and funded by Congress, but operates as a private, independent, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. According to the lawsuit, this distinction means DOGE has no legal jurisdiction to enter USIP’s premises or to shut down its operations.

Anna Kelly, a White House spokeswoman, responded to these accusations by stating, “the Trump administration will enforce the President’s executive authority and ensure agencies remain accountable to the American people.” She further asserted that the removal of the 11 board members was conducted “legally.”

This lawsuit raises a critical constitutional question: how much power does the president have over non-federal agencies? The Trump administration appears willing to push every boundary, testing the limits of executive authority. Until the courts resolve these issues, democracy initiatives have been halted worldwide, peace programs have been paused, and non-profit organizations fear that they will be targeted next.

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