2009 Predictions for the Women's Rights Movement

Well today I pulled out my crystal ball and tried to see into what 2009 will mean for the women's rights movement. Here are a few of the ideas that I had about what might happen in the realm of politics, media, health and hollywood. Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section!

1. Females to Garner More of the News Media Spotlight. The rise of Katie Couric, Campbell Brown, and Rachel Maddow has proved that LGBT and female anchors can increase viewership and lead to greater diversity of thought and gender in the media.

2. Economic downturn will hit women the hardest. Women will unfortunately be hurt more by the suffering economy and mortgage crisis than any other demographic.

3. The Internet to Become More Female Friendly. Despite Facebook's decision to disallow mother's breastfeeding photos to appear on the social network, I am hopeful that with greater awareness of the power that women have online, there will be pressure for social networks and websites to be more female friendly.

4. Reversal of Anti-Woman Agenda Abroad.  With the election of Barack Obama, I anticipate that the United States will offer a renewed focus on gender based violence in areas such as the Congo and the Global Gag Rule will be reversed. I hope that there will be more aid dollars going to women and children's causes abroad and in particular, that the funding for the UN family-planning program will be restored.

5. Amending The Family Medical Leave Act. With a near majority of Democrats in Congress, perhaps 2009 will allow family rights activists to work with elected officials to amend the Family Medical Leave Act and open up FMLA leave to all employees without requiring them to use their own sick/vacation leave.

6. Congress will Pass the Fair Pay Act. I am optimistic that the Democrats will finally be able to pass the Fair Pay Act - making equal pay for equal work a reality.

7. Women to Maintain 16% of the Senate. Hillary Clinton's seat will be filled by a female from New York, which will maintain the existing percentage of women in the Senate and raise hopes of more female senators to be elected in 2010.

8. A Seat In the Supreme Court Opens Up. A Supreme Court Justice will retire - likely Justice Stevens who is at the ripe age of 88 - which could open up a seat for another female, or at least someone sensitive to women's issues, to join the robed ranks.

9. Move over Carrie Bradshaw, hello Bella Swan. Women will find empowerment through Vampire-themed entertainment replacing the Sex and the City fanaticism of past years. While Sex and the City Movie was the highest grossing film featuring women of all time, the movie, Twilight, is quickly surpassing the females from Manhattan in terms of money grossed and devoted fan base. Will the triumph of apples over cosmos be evidence of shifting ideas about sexuality amongst young women?

10. HPV Vaccine to Be Encouraged for Men In order to protect women from the risk of cervical cancer caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), it is likely that U.S. doctors will start recommending the HPV vaccine which is suggested for women under 26 to be distributed to men as well.