The Equal Rights Amendment vs the Manosphere
April 17, 2025
Written by Halie Moses
Last week, during the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., I stood alongside young women and activists from across the country who came to our nation’s capital to make a difference and have their voices heard. Looking around, it became clear that I was among the next generation of our country’s great leaders and champions of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).
The Feminist Majority Foundation hosted the conference to unite student activists and equip them with the knowledge to tackle critical issues of gender inequality across all states. Chief among their demands was Congressional action on the ERA.
Despite its 100-year history—and having been reintroduced in every session of Congress since it was first proposed—the ERA still faces resistance. Some dismiss it as “old,” “useless,” and not worth the fight, even as United Nations Human Rights Committees have repeatedly emphasized the need for constitutional gender equality in the U.S.
But these young feminists believe the opposite. With their energy, determination, and conviction, they’ve breathed new life into this long-overdue legislation, recognizing it as a historical goal and a present-day necessity.
In today’s political climate, Gen Z and Millennial feminists find themselves aligned with pre-Roe generations—Baby Boomers and the Silent Generation—in the fight for reproductive freedom, a devastating indication of how much ground has been lost under the Trump administration. For this generation, the ERA isn’t just a relic of the past; it’s a tool for the future.
Walking through the halls of Congress, I saw pins and shirts emblazoned with slogans like “Bans Off Our Bodies,” “ERA Now,” and “Keep Abortion Legal.” These visuals were more than just statements—they were symbols of a deep and unwavering commitment. These young leaders are fighting for themselves, for their daughters, mothers, and grandmothers, and for women they may never meet.
Throughout various administrations, political changes, and multiple generations one thing has remained constant: The ERA is essential for achieving true gender equality.
Join us in the fight for equality today.
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