An Ecuadorian politician recently set off a monsoon of machismo by reportedly attempting to write a woman's right to sexual satisfaction into the state's constitution. Maria Soledad Vela's pro-pleasure argument was called "ridiculous" and an attempt to "decree orgasm by law" by male lawmakers. A local newspaper spoke with a man who actually likened the legislation to "life in prison." (Surely, he's a bunch of fun in bed.) But, all she's asking for is required public health education that acknowledges women aren't unfeeling breeding machines. (¡Qué horrible!) Soledad Vela says she isn't demanding the right to an orgasm, but, as the BBC puts it, "merely the right to enjoy sex in a free, fair and more open society" -- and if that means greater orgasms, which it probably does, then so be it.

In conservative Ecuador, that's a dangerous political platform; and that's why, even though I realize it's only Monday, I'm nominating Maria Soledad Vela as Broadsheet's woman of the week.