Interesting stories in the news this week:

The Fatherhood Institute has launched a 12-point action plan to stop fathers from being 'shut out' of the birth of their own children. It includes provision for fathers to be able to stay overnight on maternity wards following the birth of their children so that they have more chance to bond with their newborn babies. Read the rest on their website here.

The new Spanish cabinet under Zapatero has more women ministers than men for the first time, including a female defence minister who is seven months pregnant. Just over a year ago, a law was passed in Spain that required medium-to-large companies and political parties in larger boroughs to employ 40% women at top-ranking positions. Only on in five top executives in Spain was female at the time. I wonder what impact it will have to be in an environment where women in leadership is the norm rather than unusual. UPDATE: Article in the Guardian about reaction to this and details of the ministers here.

And disturbing news from the US on just how dangerous bad theology can be for women and children, with 416 children, mainly girls, removed from the polygamous Mormon sect run by Warren Jeffs under allegations of child abuse. Full story here.

photo: spigoo