What is the ERA
The ERA or Equal Rights Amendment is 3 parts
The text of the Equal Rights Amendment, as passed by Congress and ratified by state legislatures, states:
Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.
Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
Section 3: This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification.
Then & Now
10 Fast Facts
1. Currently, the ONLY right in our constitution that men and women have equally is the right to vote.
2. The ERA will give equality between all sexes the highest possible legal protection, no loopholes.
3. Ratifying the ERA will be a huge step in closing the gender wage gap, as it will put the issue on the frontline, promoting equal pay for everyone.
4. The ERA will protect women facing job discrimination due to pregnancy and motherhood.
5. As of right now, female victims of sexual assault or misconduct only have civil legal recourse in two areas (employment and education). The ERA can and will change that.
6. It will ensure that federal resources and Government Programs will benefit both sexes equally.
7. Passing the ERA will decrease workplace conflict and diversify the workforce even further.
8. Ratifying the ERA will also add momentum to the passing of more laws and amendments protecting transgender people and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
9. The ERA will also provide a strong legal system and defense against the rollback of other women’s rights (ex. Reproductive Rights)
10. Ratifying the ERA in the United States might inspire other countries to implement similar measures, making our world a more equal and fair place, one step at a time.