In August 2024, The American Bar Association, the largest national volunteer association of lawyers in the world, adopted Resolution 601 championing the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Equality Now has drawn out the key points of the Resolution report to bring the legal and broader community a concise, irrefutable analysis concluding that the ERA must be recognized and implemented.

What’s inside the factsheet?

An assessment of the main legal arguments opponents raise against recognition of the ERA as our 28th Amendment, using constitutional analyses to rebut each in turn.
An overview of how existing legal protections against sex-based discrimination in the US, such as Title VII and Title IX, are “a patchwork” of laws that can easily be repealed, narrowly interpreted, and not enforced. As well as how the ERA can provide a remedy for those gaps.
A discussion of how the US is in violation of international law by not including an explicit guarantee against sex- and gender-based discrimination in its Constitution.
Calls to action.

Who’s it for?

The Department of Justice
US President Biden
US Congress Members
Legislators and Policy Makers
The Legal Community Everywhere
Advocates and Activists for Gender Equality

Key takeaways and recommendations

Support the recognition of the ERA as part of the US Constitution and its implementation as our 28th Amendment.
Utilize the constitutional framework delineated in the ABA Resolution report to rebut opponents’ arguments around the timing of state ratifications and the validity of state rescissions.
Continue to support the enactment of state constitution ERAs, and expand the use of existing ones to challenge laws and regulations that raise inequality and sex discrimination issues in a variety of contexts.

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10 June 2025

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I need the ERA because…the voice of the US legal profession endorses it!

What’s inside the factsheet?

Who’s it for?

Key takeaways and recommendations

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Explore more resources

I need the ERA because… inequality harms everyone, including men

Urgent action needed to eradicate female genital mutilation in Colombia

I need the ERA because…paid care is a right – gender equality and the care economy

I need the ERA because…the voice of the US legal profession endorses it!

What’s inside the factsheet?

Who’s it for?

Key takeaways and recommendations

About

Languages

Classification

More information

Explore more resources

I need the ERA because… inequality harms everyone, including men

Urgent action needed to eradicate female genital mutilation in Colombia

I need the ERA because…paid care is a right – gender equality and the care economy

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