The Female Year In Review: What 2013 Was Like For Women's Rights

(Image Via www.michcafe.blogspot.com)

   Yesterday, I brought you what 2013 was like for the GLBT community, but today I thought I would bring you what this past year has been like for women. While the GLBT community saw strides this past year, women have seen some hurdles. One of the biggest stories of the year that I feel needs to be addressed is the epidemic of rape that has gone on this year. This epidemic came to the forefront of the news when a woman died after being raped on a bus in India. I hope that 2014 will see a worldwide campaign to fight this tragic epidemic that affects women and girls worldwide.
    Another big piece of news that affects women came this year as more states decided to put more and more restrictions on abortions. These states, mostly in the South, made it mandatory for women to get sonograms before getting abortions. Others saw the date for when a woman can have an abortion being made earlier and earlier. While some praised these new laws, other women bemoaned having more restrictions on when they can have an abortion.
     Next up, we saw rumors that Hillary Clinton, the woman of women, may be running for President in 2016. Though she has neither confirmed or denied whether she's going to take another run for the White House, 2014 may just be the year that she makes a decision. Who knows? We may just see her as President in a couple of years.
       This past year has also given us some stories about women's body issues that are more divisive than most years. From "The Real Housewives" bickering with each other to "Fit Mom" and her opponents going at it, 2013 was a year where the stereotype of women attacking each other about their bodies, ideas, and opionions seemed to be amplified by the media. I know this may seem like an empty wish, but I hope 2014 will see women more united than ever when it comes to realizing that everyone is beautiful and bickering helps nothing.
        Even though it seems like women's rights may have taken a few hits this year, the good news is we that things can change. Hopefully 2014 will see the income gap worldwide between men and women decrease, the rape epidemic come to an end, and more women take leadership positions worldwide. If this happens, who knows, 2014 may just be the best year for women's rights that we've seen in a while.