- The Rise
- Posts
- Women’s News: What TikTok’s turmoil means for women
Women’s News: What TikTok’s turmoil means for women
Plus: The inauguration, an ancient women-centric society, payday for women’s March Madness, and more.
Riley Williams
January 21, 2025
Good morning and welcome to your weekly dose of women’s news. Here’s what’s on the rise today:
The TikTok shut-down came and went faster than the free samples at Costco, with the app restoring service just a day after closing its doors due to a federal ban in the U.S. Still, the platform’s future remains uncertain, and women are poised to bear an outsized share of the fallout.
Women make up 70% of the $22 billion global influencer marketing industry. With roughly a third of TikTok creators earning full-time income through the app, a permanent shutdown would disproportionately impact women’s livelihoods.
For critics of the platform, on the other hand, its risks to young girls are a reason to support a potential ban. Research has shown nearly half of adolescent girls using TikTok feel "addicted," and 69% of those experiencing depression reported encountering suicide-related content on the app monthly, highlighting its impact on mental health.
What comes next for TikTok remains to be seen. Last night, Donald Trump signed an executive order delaying the ban for 75 days, during which time he plans to work on a “joint venture” that will keep the platform available while maintaining national security.
The Israel-Hamas ceasefire has begun, and all three Israeli hostages released on Sunday were women. The deal also included the freedom of 90 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom were women or teenagers.
New research suggests an ancient Celtic society may have been women-centric. DNA analysis of a 2,000-year-old burial site in Britain revealed the tribe was matrilocal, meaning men relocated to live with their wives’ families, an indication that the society centered on women’s economic and social power.
In an uncommon public critique, a senior Taliban official called on the group to reverse its ban on women’s education, saying in a speech that the government is “committing an injustice against 20 million people.”
In India, a man was convicted of the August rape and murder of a female medical trainee, a rare fast-track of the country’s legal system. The crime garnered international attention for sparking widespread protests and renewing concerns over violence against women in India.
Whitney Wolfe Herd is back as CEO of Bumble, stepping in to replace Lidiane Jones just a year after rescinding the title. Wolfe Herd’s return comes at a critical time for the dating app, which faces slow growth and declining revenue.
JPMorgan named Jenn Piepszak its new chief operating officer. She ruled herself out of the running to succeed CEO Jamie Dimon, providing a small hint of clarity in the ongoing speculation over the bank's leadership plans.
Rashida Jones announced she will step down as president of MSNBC, the role that made her the first Black executive to lead a major U.S. television news network. A woman will remain at the helm, with Rebecca Kutler slated to replace Jones.
In a stark example of sexually explicit AI being used to target women and girls, two Pennsylvania high school students were charged with creating over 300 deepfake pornographic images of their female classmates.
Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th president of the U.S., and high-profile Democratic women like Michelle Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez skipped the ceremony.
Women-led protests like those that erupted after Trump took office in 2017 were also notably absent, which some experts say is because Democrats have learned that strategic organizing is more effective than grassroots protests.
After the inauguration, Kamala Harris took her final official flight home to California, and made history doing so – it was the first time an all-female crew had operated the Air Force's C-32 aircraft.
In one of his last acts as president, Biden declared the Equal Rights Amendment “the law of the land.” The statement, unfortunately, has no formal power to constitutionalize the 1970s-era amendment banning sex-based discrimination, as the ratification deadline expired decades ago.
Pete Hegseth, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced a grilling from women lawmakers during his Senate confirmation hearing. Their questions challenged him over sexual assault allegations and his past opposition to women in military combat roles.
A report from the American Cancer Society revealed younger women in the U.S. are developing cancer at higher rates than men, with rising diagnoses of breast and lung cancers among women under 65. Black women face the greatest risk of cancer-related death.
A Texas judge ruled that three states can pursue a lawsuit to make it harder to obtain the abortion pill mifepristone. If successful, the case could prevent telehealth prescriptions and reduce the timeframe for taking the drug.
Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood and a prominent advocate for abortion rights, passed away at age 67.
Women’s college basketball teams will now be paid for participating in March Madness, a benefit men’s teams have enjoyed for years. NCAA members approved the pay structure unanimously, meaning teams will receive a collective $15 million for playing in this year’s tournament.
Coco Gauff lost to Paula Badosa in the Australian Open quarterfinals, while powerhouse Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the next round. Two more quarterfinals air this evening, and the final will take place on Saturday.
The House passed a bill banning transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports at schools that receive federal funding. It’s headed to the Senate next.
Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the Chronicles of Narnia will hit Imax theaters two weeks before its Netflix premiere. The director reportedly used her Barbie box office success to negotiate the rare pre-streaming release.
Actress Julia Stiles, known for titles like 10 Things I Hate About You, just made her directorial debut with the romantic drama film Wish You Were Here.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced she is in remission from cancer.
Reply