the Women's Equality Amendment

The Women's Equality Amendment, also known as the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), is a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution aimed at ensuring equal rights under the law, regardless of sex. Introduced in 1923 and passed by Congress in 1972, the ERA states 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." Although it has been ratified by enough states to be adopted, legal challenges and debates continue about its status and implications for gender equality in the U.S.