Why Women Must Be a Priority This Election

Tomorrow, those in the US will make one of the most important decisions of our lives - who we choose as our next leader. As the day looms large, America finds itself at a crossroads. Women’s rights—reproductive, economic, social, and political—hang in the balance.?

The repeal of Roe v. Wade and the erosion of access to reproductive healthcare have had devastating consequences and have catapulted women's rights to the center of this electoral conversation. Studies estimate that the maternal mortality rate could increase by 21% nationally and as much as 33% for Black women if abortion access is significantly restricted.?

Abortion access is only one part of a broader tapestry of equality. At Equality Now, we believe that gender equality cannot be achieved unless we address all areas of women's lives, including their fundamental economic rights.

Economic inequality is not an isolated issue; it is intertwined with reproductive rights, workplace protections, and basic human dignity. No doubt, when women lack control over their own bodies, their choices in life are restricted. But when they also lack equal pay, job security, and paid family leave, they are trapped in cycles of dependency, violence and economic vulnerability. This election, we must fiercely demand leadership that centers gender equality—ensuring that women are not just free to make choices about their bodies, but that they are also guaranteed laws that let them thrive. As Eleanor Roosevelt said "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

The Reproductive Rights Crisis

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade stripped millions of women of the fundamental right to make decisions about their own bodies. Now, 13 states have enacted total abortion bans, with many others restricting the procedure at early stages of pregnancy. This undermines the autonomy of women and other pregnant individuals, forcing them to carry pregnancies that they may not be financially, physically, or emotionally equipped to handle. The decision to become a parent affects every aspect of a woman's life—her career, her mental and physical health, and her economic stability. Without the right to make this deeply personal choice, women are denied the ability to fully and responsibly participate in society.

The Economic Cost of Gender Inequality

The rollback of reproductive rights compounds the financial burdens many women already face. In the U.S., women still earn only 83 cents for every dollar earned by men. This gap is even wider for women of color. Economic inequity for women is further exacerbated by the lack of paid family leave—a reality that sets the U.S. apart from most high-income nations. This absence forces millions of women into impossible choices between income and family, between caring for a child or a loved one and maintaining economic security. It reinforces a "motherhood penalty" that limits women's lifetime earnings, their job opportunities, and their career advancement.

For women denied reproductive choice, economic security becomes even more elusive. Studies show that unintended pregnancies and forced births have long-term economic consequences for both mothers and children, perpetuating cycles of poverty, dependency on abusers and an inability to leave a life of violence. By embedding economic rights and reproductive freedom into law, we can help ensure that women have agency to make choices about their own lives without facing financial ruin. The right to economic security is as fundamental as the right to bodily autonomy, and both are necessary for women to live with dignity and freedom.

Why the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Matters

The ERA could be a game-changer in the fight for women’s economic equality. By enshrining gender equality in the Constitution, the ERA would create a legal foundation to challenge discriminatory practices that have held women back for generations. Without constitutional backing, women’s rights remain subject to the shifting tides of political agendas. The ERA would create enforceable protections against wage discrimination, provide stronger legal recourse against gender-based workplace discrimination, and pave the way for policies like paid family leave.

Equality Now has long advocated for the ERA, recognizing it as essential to achieving gender equality. By voting for candidates who support the ERA, we take a critical step toward securing not only reproductive rights but also economic justice. This election is our opportunity to ensure that women’s rights are not just protected, but embedded in the very fabric of our democracy.

Economic Rights Are Human Rights

The economic strength of women is a cornerstone of a just society. When women have financial security, they invest in their families, communities, and economies. Yet American women lost an estimated $1.7 trillion in earnings last year alone due to the wage gap and systemic discrimination. Women deserve equal pay for equal work, the right to paid leave, and protections against discrimination that holds them back. Economic rights are not a luxury; they are a necessity for building a future where every person can reach their potential.

The right to economic security cannot be divorced from other human rights. Economic independence enables women to leave abusive violent relationships, to support their children, and to live with dignity. It is not only about a paycheck; it is about having the resources and agency to make meaningful choices about one's life. When we recognize economic rights as human rights, we take a stand for a future in which all people are free to thrive.

Voting for Equality, Voting for Change

The upcoming election is a defining moment in our fight for women’s rights and gender equality. We have the chance to demand that reproductive rights are restored, that the ERA is finally ratified, and that economic justice becomes a national priority. We have the power to elect leaders who will take a stand for women’s freedom to control their bodies, their finances, and their futures. It is a call to action not just for women, but for everyone who believes in equality and justice.

Economic rights, reproductive rights, and political representation are not separate battles; they are one. Together, they form the foundation of a just and equitable society. Let’s vote for candidates who will fight for reproductive rights, economic equality, and the ERA. This election, let us commit to voting for a future where women are free to live, work, and thrive as equal citizens. Let us vote for true equality—because when women succeed, we all succeed.

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