Over the years, women’s rights have been gradually extended to the point where it is now offered in all 50 states in America. This is a vast improvement from before, when most states severely restricted women’s rights. When women finally had the right to vote and hold office, men always won. As of today, women are far more likely to gain higher education, find high-paying jobs and have access to every other advantage that men enjoy.
So, how womens rights changed over the years? The first major step was the Equal Rights Act. This established a national standard that every individual has the right to be treated equally under the law regardless of gender, race, ethnic background or religion. Another amendment provided protection for those who were discriminated against because of their reproductive health, such as women undergoing tubal ligation or having an abortion. The Pregnancy Bill guaranteed maternity leave and equal rights with respect to child custody and adoption.
Then the following decade saw further advancements in the sphere of women’s rights. The Right to Work Act protected women from having to be hired based solely on their gender. The equal opportunity Employment Practices Act allowed employees to choose what industries they worked in, regardless of gender, and put more power into the hands of employees rather than employers.
There have been many other pieces of legislation designed to provide opportunities for women and girls, such as the Sexual Abuse and Domestic Violence Act, which puts limits on how abusers are punished and provides support for victims. The Gender Discrimination Act extended civil rights for women and girls. Finally, the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave black Americans equal rights with other Americans. All of these laws are essential in ensuring women are treated fairly and have all the rights and freedoms that every person is entitled to.
The struggle for women’s rights and equality has continued even into the twenty-first century. In 1994, the first gender-neutral restroom was made available in colleges across the country. In addition, major corporations are now making it possible for women to pursue professional careers without having to contend with discrimination due to sex. Additionally, in 2005, Congress passed the Women’s Rights and Employee Protection Act, or WEOPA, which prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of gender. These laws are a step in the right direction in terms of how womens rights are progressed and protected.
How women’s rights changed over the years is evident by the political battles that have taken place over the last fifty years. Many laws have been enacted that specifically protect women from workplace violence and sexual harassment. Additionally, the rights of pregnant women have also been secured with the U.S. Supreme Court. Today, women are no longer defined solely as mothers; they can be married, doctors, business owners, programmers, etc. The future is a world where anyone who puts their mind to it can successfully pursue their dreams.
Rachel is a blogger and author. She always share about Women’s Rights, its history and her opinions on what the society should do about it.
