As a part of the College Democrats of Madison's Sexy Week,"" a panel of state lawmakers advocated for improvement in women's sexual health and reproductive rights Wednesday in Humanities.
Panelists included state Reps. Donna Seidel, D-Wausau, Sandy Pasch, D-Whitefish Bay, Ann Hraychuck, D-Balsam Lake and Kelda Roys, D-Madison.
The purpose of the panel was to address women's health, which is ""largely ignored in our government and our culture,"" according to UW-Madison sophomore Molly Rivera, organizer of ""Sexy Week,"" a week planned to promote awareness of sexual issues for UW students.
The panelists answered questions about issues and legislation regarding reproductive rights, sexual abuse, sex education and health care, emphasizing the need for young people to vote and take an interest in politics.
""We need your voice,"" Pasch said, adding that individuals can contact their representatives and be their own lobbyists.
They expressed particular concern about refusal clauses and conscience clauses, which allow doctors to refuse to provide care or to withhold information from patients in need of emergency birth control.
General access to health care was identified as a primary issue in women's health and reproductive rights.
Benefits for the poor are shrinking, Seidel said, adding that Wisconsin ""stands in very good stead"" to develop a plan for comprehensive universal health care, which could set an example for other states and the federal government.
Regarding sexual abuse, the panel emphasized the importance of maintaining a dialogue with university police. In the event of sexual abuse, the individual must ""take the responsibility upon yourself to make the call,"" Hraychuck said.
Seidel and Roys also emphasized the need for age-appropriate sex education for kids, adding the importance of medically accurate information.
The panel expressed optimism at having a Democratic majority in the state Legislature, but said women's issues still have a long way to go.
