Some women felt they were under attack in 2012.
The Susan Komen For The Cure international headquarters are shown in the Dallas suburb of Addison, Texas, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012. After three days of controversy, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast-cancer charity says reversed its decision to cut breast-screening grants to Planned Parenthood. (AP Photo/LM Otero)? ? 
Christine Toretti, Republican National Committee, cautioned that the GOP was alienating women. VICKI VELLIOS BRINER,The Patriot-News
The GOP was accused of waging a war on women last year. Plenty of Republicans ? and yes, Republican women ? said that was actually a Democratic ploy designed to raise money in an election year.
Nonetheless, several women?s issues emerged front and center in 2012.
Following the lead of other states, Pennsylvania lawmakers considered a bill requiring women to have an ultrasound before getting an abortion. The bill also called for an image of the fetus to be shown on a monitor.
Gov. Tom Corbett garnered national attention and criticism when he said that women didn?t have to look at the monitor to see the fetus. He said a woman simply has to ?close your eyes.?
Democrats pounded Corbett for the remark. Corbett?s support of the bill earned support from some conservatives, but even some Republicans said they were disappointed by Corbett's comments.
The bill was sponsored by a woman: State Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren County. But the legislation was later put on the shelf when it became clear it wouldn?t get support.
As Republican presidential candidates battled over abortion in the fight for the GOP nomination, some cautioned that the emphasis on social issues was creating a gender gap. ?This primary process has really alienated a lot of women across the country,? Christine Toretti, a key player in the Republican National Committee, told The Patriot-news.
The battle over birth control also made news in 2012, and the issue broke party lines.
Conservatives, Catholics in particular, fought a provision in President Barack Obama?s health care reform law requiring health insurance plans to pay for contraception. At one point, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., and other Democrats urged the White House to reconsider.
Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh also received criticism for calling a Georgetown University student a ?slut? for testifying before Congress about the need for access to contraceptives. Limbaugh later apologized.
Planned Parenthood was again the target of some lawmakers. State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County, pushed legislation to keep taxpayer money away from the group. He argues that Planned Parenthood doesn't deserve state money because it provides abortion services and referrals.
Another flap involving Planned Parenthood arose early in the year when Susan G. Komen for the Cure announced plans to cut funding for the group. Facing a huge backlash fueled by social media, Komen, a top breast cancer charity, quickly reversed its decision.
?We want to apologize to the American public for recent decisions that cast doubt upon our commitment to our mission of saving women's lives,? a Komen statement said.
Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/12/newsmakers_2012_womens_issues.html
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