We have a narrow window of opportunity to include gender equality in the US Constitution. In just two months, the current President of the United States will leave office, and a new administration, one that publicly boasted about its efforts to erode women’s and girls’ rights, will take over. We’re worried that the progress we’ve made toward equality for all women and girls could be further taken away.
That’s why we’re working hard right now to get the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) formally added to the US Constitution before January 20th, the official day of presidential inauguration in the US. Join us in urging President Biden to do everything he can to ensure the ERA is published and incorporated as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution, cementing his legacy on gender equality.
If the ERA becomes part of the Constitution, it would cement a strong protection against discrimination on the basis of sex into the Country’s most authoritative legal document. The basic human right to equality shouldn’t be left at risk. So, in these final days before the inauguration, ask President Biden to ensure the ERA is published, guaranteeing equality for everyone, once and for all.
Over 50% of the US population does not have equal protections from sex discrimination under the US Constitution
80% of people in the United States think they do. They’re wrong.
Why do we need the ERA?
Recognition and implementation of the ERA as our 28th Amendment would provide a strong legal foundation to challenge discriminatory laws, policies, and practices against women, while also allowing lawmakers to create new protections. This could promote gender equality in areas like economic rights, access to abortion, and protection from violence, helping to safeguard the rights of all women and girls.
What could happen without the ERA?
Without the ERA, we may continue to see a rollback of our human rights in the United States as has already occurred in recent years with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and subsequent restrictions to reproductive freedoms across the country. Without the ERA, these rights and more continue to be at risk.
Isn’t the ERA already part of the Constitution?
The ERA has met all necessary requirements, including ratification by 38 states, to become part of the Constitution, but it still has not been published by the Archivist. We must urge the President to make the ERA part of his legacy and ensure that it is published before he leaves office! You can take action to urge the President to incorporate the ERA today.
What does International Law say?
The United States has international legal obligations to ensure equality on the basis of sex and/or gender in its Constitution, as 85% of the rest of the world has already done.
During the United States’ most recent review by the United Nations, the US was strongly recommended to “redouble its efforts to guarantee protection against sex and gender-based discrimination in its Constitution, including through initiatives such as the Equal Rights Amendment.”
We’re closer than ever before
Several generations of advocates have stood up for the ERA, you can too. The required 38 states have already ratified the ERA! Publication is the next, and hopefully final, step.
Don’t Give Up! The Time To Act is Now! – Use the buttons to the right of this page to email or call the White House with a message from our partner, the ERA Coalition.
You can also call directly at (202) 456-1111 or text (302) 404-0880. Share with your networks using the hashtags #ERANow #BidenLegacy.