The Women’s Desk produces programming that explores the issues and perspectives of women with a particular focus on the intersections of gender, race, class and sexuality. Many of our women’s shows have a Reproductive Justice theme. This desk also collaborates with the Women Rising Radio Project. The Welfare Radio Collaborative was a project of the Women’s Desk from 2003 to 2006.

Supported by independent funding sources, the Women’s Desk is free to explore and expose government and corporate roles in issues that affect women. Please support the Women’s Desk.

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Programs from this desk are listed below. Click through for audio, full description, and guest contact information.

Dr. Joanna Macy: Gifts of Uncertainty (March 2nd, 2010) Dr. Joanna Macy is a long-time peace, justice, and ecology activist. A celebrated Buddhist teacher, Dr. Macy’s wide-ranging work spans Eastern and Western thought. She spoke at the 2009 Bioneers Conference held in San Rafael, California.

'Hyde-ing' the Right to Choose (January 19th, 2010) Stupak, the Hyde Amendment, and religion. We take a look at some of the threats to abortion access, more than thirty-five years after Roe V. Wade legalized a woman’s right to have an abortion.

Women Rising XX: Leaders Struggling with War (January 12th, 2010) In this program, we profile two government leaders tackling the monumental problem of war –– Gambia's Fatou Bensouda, Deputy Prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and retired Colonel Ann Wright, a former United States military leader and diplomat for the State Department.

Women in Sports: Separate and Not Equal (September 16th, 2009) Dave Zirin and Elizabeth Terzakis take a look back at the history of discrimination against women in sports, and we’ll hear where the long battle for equality and acceptance stands today.

Guard Us All? Immigrant Women and the HPV Vaccine (encore) (July 29th, 2009) A controversial vaccine is at the intersection of immigrant rights and reproductive justice organizing. The HPV vaccine is mandatory for permanent resident status, and advocates say it follows a history of controlling the bodies of women of color.

Many Lines of Fire: Women at War (encore) (May 27th, 2009) The changing nature of the Iraq war has placed many women at the center of the conflict. Yet the women serving and dying for the U.S. have received very little attention. Who are they, why did they join and what are their experiences and points of view?

Women Rising IV: Women as Religious Activists (encore) (April 8th, 2009) Three courageous women struggling with religious issues within their own religions and across religious lines.

Guard Us All? Immigrant Women and the HPV Vaccine (April 1st, 2009) A controversial vaccine is at the intersection of immigrant rights and reproductive justice organizing. The HPV vaccine is mandatory for permanent resident status, and advocates say it follows a history of controlling the bodies of women of color.

Women Rising XIX: Masters of the Spoken Word (March 11th, 2009) We profile two American masters of the spoken word; provoking, inspiring, and moving us to action. Eve Ensler, playwright of the hit 'Vagina Monologues' shares the innovative work of her organization, V-Day, and renowned storyteller, Diane Ferlatte, talks with us about using her art as an international bridge over cultural divides.

What Kind of Liberation? Women and Iraq (March 4th, 2009) Author and activist Nadje Al-Ali talks about the reality of women's lives in Iraq.

Women Rising XVIII: Rescuers of Wildlife (December 31st, 2008) Four women leaders work throughout the world, from Asia to Latin America to defend animal rights.

Born in Flames: Case of the New Jersey 7 (December 17th, 2008) On this edition, we hear from two of the 'New Jersey 7' women and the people fighting to clear their names.

Live From Main Street Seattle: Women on Real National Security (October 29th, 2008) Lets move beyond lipstick and hockey pucks to examine how issues of national security impact our daily lives, and ask the tough questions about how to build a better future.

Parental Notification: Protecting Our Youth? (October 8th, 2008) We hear from a group in California that says a proposition requiring parental notification before abortion threatens the health, safety and rights of young women, especially communities of color and immigrant communities. We also visit Texas where both parental notification and consent laws have transformed the ways young women handle unexpected pregnancies.

For Us, By Us. Health Care after Katrina (September 3rd, 2008) Hurricane Katrina was one of the most destructive disasters in U.S. history for human lives and destroyed property. And while a full three years have passed since the storm, New Orleans and the surrounding region are still in a state of “rebuilding”. How does this ongoing state of recovery translate into the daily lives of the city’s marginalized populations? We talk to activists and visionaries from the New Orleans Women’s Health Clinic who are reinventing their community’s health and wellness landscape.

When Your Back's Against the Wall, You Gotta Dance: On the Frontlines of Reproductive Justice (August 6th, 2008) Women, particularly poor and homeless women, young women and women of color, across the nation are struggling with access to quality comprehensive reproductive health services.

A Crisis of Care: A System on Life Support (May 28th, 2008) In the last of our three-part series, A Crisis of Care: A System on Life Support, we'll hear from experts offering an insiders view on the continuing health care crisis in California's prisons.

A Crisis of Care: Gina's Story (Part 2) (April 2nd, 2008) On the second of our three-part series, 'A Crisis of Care,' a look inside California's prison health care system, we continue 'Gina's Story.'

A Crisis of Care: Gina's Story (Part 1) (March 26th, 2008) This is the first of a three-part series, 'A Crisis of Care,' a look inside the prison health care system in the state of California, where we learn about 'Gina's Story' within the prison system.

Women Rising XVI: Civil Disobedience and Resistance (March 5th, 2008) In this program, we profile two international change-makers dedicated to nonviolent civil disobedience and resistance, Medea Benjamin and Saw Myat Mar.

Still Talking About Sex (February 13th, 2008) On this edition, we’ll hear from the former attorney general, Joycelyn Elders, who to this day remains a fierce advocate for health related policies.

Reproductive Justice: Voices from SisterSong (encore edition) (January 30th, 2008) On this edition from our Women's Desk, we hear from three women advocating for comprehensive reproductive health, that include the issues of sex education, HIV and AIDS prevention, housing, educational opportunities, queer-conscious-healthcare, the economic resources to support a child, the right to live free of violence, as well as an analysis of reproductive technologies.

Looking Back, Moving Forward 2007 (December 26th, 2007) As the year 2007 ends, we reflect on three key issues we covered this past year and hear the voices of: the immigrant labor force in post-hurricane New Orleans, domestic workers in the United States, and Iraqi refugees on the streets of Damascus.

Women Rising XV: World Health Activists (December 12th, 2007) Prudence Mabele is a South African activist in the battle to contain HIV. Mary Pipher is an American psychologist and author confronting the American Psychological Association about its cooperation with the U.S. government in the use of torture.

The Color of AIDS: Bringing "Risk" Up to Date (November 28th, 2007) Those on the front lines of the grassroots HIV/AIDS movement bring the discussion about HIV risk up to date. They say generating more relevant prevention models is literally a matter of life and death, especially for women of color.

Women Rising XIV: International Changemakers in the Arts (October 24th, 2007) Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world, fighting for peace, justice, the environment and civil society. On this edition, we profile four artist activists from San Francisco, Haiti, Zimbabwe and India.

On New Ground: Liberating Gender & Sexuality (September 19th, 2007) How do we challenge and overcome gender and sexual oppression? Three speakers at the Atlanta U.S. Social Forum have some answers.

Women Rising XIII: Enterprising Women (September 12th, 2007) We profile four women entrepreneurs, bravely starting businesses where no one else has ventured and who are leading a worldwide grassroots movement to create micro-enterprise.

Mothers, Migrants and Maids of Honor (encore edition) (September 5th, 2007) They’re mothers, their migrants and they’re caregivers to our children and our elders. Domestic workers are the backbone of many American families, their own families and their communities.

Women Rising IX: International Changemakers - Honoring Elder Women Activists (encore edition) (July 4th, 2007) This Women's Desk program is a special collaboration with the Women Rising Radio Project, Lynn Feinerman and Crown Sephira Productions.

Reproductive Justice: Voices from SisterSong (June 27th, 2007) Women in the reproductive justice movement seek the basic human right to control their bodies. This includes a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy, and the rights to have a child, and to parent that child. On this edition from our Women's Desk, we hear from three women advocating for comprehensive reproductive health.

Women Rising XII: International Changemakers Journalists in the Crosshairs (May 23rd, 2007) In this program we profile three independent women journalists, unbought and unbossed.

Mothers, Migrants and Maids of Honor (May 9th, 2007) On this edition, through their own words, we pay tribute to the many working women of color who are struggling for acceptance, recognition and their rights.

Many Lines of Fire: Women at War (March 28th, 2007) On this edition, Sarah Olson speaks with veterans of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines, and to one active duty soldier who served for a year as an Army journalist in Iraq.

Women Rising XI: International Council of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers (March 7th, 2007) In this program, we visit with three eloquent members of the International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers, a global alliance of elder women healers who represent more than 900 years of collective wisdom and traditions.

Last Stand for Choice in Mississippi (encore edition) (February 28th, 2007) On this edition, with mid-term elections upon us, Making Contact's Sarah Olson takes a closer look at the Mississippi women fighting for reproductive justice as they try to save the one remaining abortion clinic in the state.

Women Rising X: International Changemakers - Human Rights Advocates (December 20th, 2006) Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world fighting for peace, justice, the environment and civil society. In this program we profile three courageous human rights advocates.

Women Rising IX: International Changemakers - Honoring Elder Women Activists (November 22nd, 2006) Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world fighting for peace, justice, the environment and civil society. In this program we profile three courageous women elders honoring their lives of dedication to far reaching social movements.

Last Stand for Choice in Mississippi (October 25th, 2006) In Jackson, Mississippi the battle over abortion was kicked into high gear when an eight day anti-abortion demonstration ensued in the state's capital this past summer. On this edition, we take a closer look at the women fighting to save the one remaining abortion clinic in the state.

Women Rising VII: International Changemakers in Politics (encore edition) (September 20th, 2006) In this program we profile three courageous politicians, women who have chosen to create progressive change through government.

Women Rising VIII: International Changemakers Protecting the Environment (July 26th, 2006) On this edition, we profile four courageous young ecology activists, going to court for environmental justice and leading regional cooperation to rescue precious natural resources and indigenous cultures.

Women Rising VII: International Changemakers in Politics (June 21st, 2006) In this program we profile three courageous politicians, women who have chosen to create progressive change through government.

Women Rising IV: International Changemakers Women as Religious Activists (encore edition) (March 15th, 2006) In this program we profile three courageous women struggling with religious issues.

Got Rights? Global Women's Voices for Health and Humanity (March 1st, 2006) From the rise of religious fundamentalism and the implementation of the "global gag rule" to neo-liberal economics and environmental justice, the common thread running through the 10th annual International Women and Health Meeting was improved human rights for women.

Women Rising VI: International Changemakers Whistleblowers (January 4th, 2006) Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world, fighting for peace, justice, the environment and civil society. In this special edition, we profile three courageous whistleblowers in the United States.

Enduring Choice (encore edition) (December 28th, 2005) From prison cells, to the barrios in Fresno, California, women of color are organizing around the broad theme of reproductive justice.

Women Rising V: International Changemakers - Grassroots Activists (September 28th, 2005) In this program we profile three courageous change makers: Shereen Essof is an advocate for democracy and land rights for women in Zimbabwe. Sahar Saba is a leader in RAWA, the underground resistance organization struggling for women's rights and democracy in Afghanistan, and Wendy Pekeur represents farmworkers in South Africa.

Enduring Choice (August 17th, 2005) On this edition we hear about the common thread that connects women from all walks of life. From prison cells, to the barrios in Fresno, California, women of color are organizing around the broad theme of reproductive justice.

Women Rising IV: International Changemakers - Women as Religious Activists (June 22nd, 2005) Women are gaining influence as leaders throughout the world, fighting for peace, justice, the environment and civil society. In this program we profile three courageous women struggling with religious issues.

Women's Movements in Palestine (March 2nd, 2005) On this edition, correspondent Sarah Olson talks with Palestinian women about their experiences fighting for peace, democracy and gender equality.

World Social Forum '05: Fostering Dignity in Africa (February 23rd, 2005) On this edition, we'll hear from African women leaders who say the dignity of peoples in the developing world is depleting. During the January 2005 World Social Forum, they proposed alternatives to the root causes of suffering.

Women Rising III: International Changemakers Women Writer Activists (November 17th, 2004) In this Women's Desk edition, we profile three courageous women writer-activists.

Unreasonable Women in Unreasonable Times (November 10th, 2004) On this edition, we'll hear stories of four women struggling for a cleaner environment and more peaceful society.

War Against Women, Women Against War: A Report Back From the World Social Forum (March 10th, 2004) On this edition of Making Contact, we feature three leading feminists: Egyptian sociologist Nawal El Saadawi, activist and author Arundhati Roy, and Saher Saba of the Revolutionary Association of Women in Afghanistan (RAWA) who discuss the disproportionate impacts that fundamentalism, colonization, and corporate globalization have on women.

A Poor System: Welfare Punishing Women (February 11th, 2004) On this program, from the Women's Desk of the National Radio Project, we look at the history and attitudes behind welfare policy in the United States, where we will hear from recipients who have experienced first-hand how the welfare system treats women like criminals for being poor.

Women Rising II: International Changemakers Women in Peace and Antimilitarism (January 14th, 2004) On this program we profile four women changemakers: Laura Slattery left a career in the US Military to become a nonviolent activist against militarism; Amneh Badran spearheads a Palestinian-Israeli feminist peace coalition; Paula Green brings conflict transformation worldwide to the victims of war; and Hyun-Back Chung heads a South Korean effort to mediate peace between the United States and North Korea.

The Intimate Ecology of Motherhood (November 19th, 2003) On this Women's Desk edition of Making Contact, we'll hear Steingraber's speech at the Women's Environmental Health and Justice Bay Area Summit in San Francisco in October of 2003.

Women in Farming (November 12th, 2003) On this edition of Making Contact, we take a look at the rising trend of women farmers and the experiences of immigrant women farmers in the United States.

The Power of Women's Peacemaking (September 17th, 2003) On this Women's Desk edition of Making Contact, we'll hear some of the ideas behind women's movements to reclaim the power of peacemaking, including stories of cross-border organizing, and stories of direct action against war-makers.

Women Rising: International Changemakers (March 5th, 2003) On this edition of Making Contact, we profile three tireless and effective women.

Reproductive Slights: The Erosion of Abortion Access (January 15th, 2003) On this program from the Women's Desk, we look at how low-income women and young women are losing their access to abortion.

Above the Law? The U.S. and the International Criminal Court (July 31st, 2002) On this program, we take a look at U.S. government opposition to the ICC. And, the National Radio Project's Women's Desk examines what the establishment of the court could mean for victims of sexual violence in wartime.

Military Maneuvers: Women Uncovering War (June 12th, 2002) On this program from the Women's Desk of the National Radio Project, we discuss the links between organized violence, sexuality and power. We also look at the ways militaries manipulate women for war.

Viva Las Mujeres: Women Challenge Globalization (March 6th, 2002) On this program from the Women's Desk of the National Radio Project, indigenous women from Mexico and Honduras discuss their work.

Walking the Talk: Women Fighting Racism Worldwide (February 13th, 2002) In September of 2001, thousands of people met at a United Nations conference in South Africa to tackle issues of racism, xenophobia, and other forms of discrimination. On this program from the Women's Desk of the National Radio Project, we bring you the voices of women from around the world who attended the conference.

Regulating Motherhood: Race, Class and Policy (January 9th, 2002) On this program from the Women's Desk of the National Radio Project, we discuss how drug laws, welfare reform, and the foster care system affect women and families who are low-income.