Answer:
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would guarantee equal rights for all citizens regardless of their sex or gender. Here are some reasons why proponents believe that the ERA is needed:
It would provide constitutional protection against sex discrimination: While there are existing laws that prohibit sex discrimination, they can be changed or repealed by lawmakers or courts. A constitutional amendment would provide a more durable protection against sex discrimination.
It would help address persistent gender inequalities: Despite significant progress over the past century, gender inequalities persist in areas such as pay, employment, and education. The ERA would provide a stronger legal framework for addressing these inequalities.
It would provide clarity on legal standards for sex discrimination: Currently, the legal standards for determining whether sex discrimination has occurred are not always clear. The ERA would provide a clear legal standard that would apply to all cases of sex discrimination.