![]() Without explicit constitutional protection for sex equality, the hard-won victories of social progress can be reversed by politicians and judges and by unexpected crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. As political polarization and ideological extremism intensify, core tenants of settled law such as reproductive rights and voting rights are unraveling. With the midterm elections upon us, the fight for equality and justice has taken on new urgency. It will inspire a new generation of leaders to revisit and modernize the constitutional ideal of equality for all rather than settling for a broken system. The ERA has the potential to inaugurate a society-wide effort to repair systemic sex-based inequality and dismantle structural gender discrimination, far beyond what our existing laws protect. ![]() In doing so, the US would join the ranks of every other democratic nation across the globe, all of which already protect women in their constitutions. Now is the time to overcome the remaining hurdles and permanently enshrine the ERA in the Constitution where it belongs. It has been passed by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratified by 38 state legislatures. Yet, the ERA has met all of the Constitutional requirements for amendment set out in Article V. Our 18th century Constitution - drafted without the inclusion of women, people of color, native people, or immigrants - is the most difficult to amend in the world. Yet despite opposition and obstacles, the ERA is closer than ever to enactment. ![]() In nearly a century after it was first proposed in Congress, the Equal Rights Amendment’s (ERA) simple guarantee that “ Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex” is still seen as a radical notion by some. In 21st century America, the battle for gender equality persists. Our nation was founded on principles of equality and justice for all, but living up to these foundational principles is the animating challenge of our history. American democracy is an unfinished project. ![]()
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