What is Women’s Rights in the Workplace?
Do you know What is Women's Rights in the Workplace? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." These word's that are located in the United States Declaration of Independence
are strong and powerful, but when taken literally they leave out a
crucial point. What about the women? Throughout the years it has been a
struggle for women to rise and be seen as an equal with their male
counterparts in the home and work life. President John K. Kennedy
said regarding discrimination, "Difficulties over segregation and
discrimination exist in every city, in every state of the union,
producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the
public safety."
Their
rights have been suppressed by letting them be allowed from certain
areas of employment to not receiving equal pay and benefits just because
of their gender. Although the opportunities that women can pursue
compared to men has improved and increased over the years,
discrimination is still a large problem in the workplace. In 1964, the
law named Public Law 883-52 was passed by Congress that would no longer
allow discrimination "based on race, color, religion, sex, or national
origin" when "hiring, promoting, and firing" of workers.
When
Congress first brought this bill to be passed, a representative known
as Howard Smith who was a Democrat from Virginia, added this word
arguably to no longer get the bill passed. It is interesting and
showing that a large moment in the women's rights
wasn't even originally passed for their best interest. Instead, women's
rights and issues were used as a political battlefield. Title VII of
this bill which provided equal employment opportunities to individuals
who are seeking employment prohibited against discrimination on the
basis of sex and race subsequently created the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) as well.
This
act, title, and commission were very large monumental stepping stones
for the promotion of women's civil rights and equality, but the fight is
far from over.
There are thousands of sex discrimination
claims in the workplace filed every year. Looking back to when this law
was in its infancy every single claim that was filed between 1964 and
1966 had been ruled against the women who filed the claim.
This
raises the large question of has anything improved from then to today?
The enforcement of Title VII has gone through the court system countless
times, and in every instance, that title has gotten stronger. The
enforcement has been able to provide more protection to women, but the
largest battle has also been changing the mindset of women and
discrimination as well. Women who are thought to be ambitious are also
described as selfish and cold. Women in careers who show aspirations of
having a family are automatically stereotyped as not wanting to pursue
or continue their careers as well. Title VII protects women from being
discriminated against regardless of where they are in their family life,
or what their family planning might be in the future. A woman cannot be
discriminated against for being pregnant, have young children, or a
possibility of future pregnancy. For example, women who had young
children who yet were yet at a school attending age were protected from employment discrimination unless the employers established the same rule for men as well.
Women
in the sixties were fighting for many issues that are similar and
different than what women are fighting for today. This goes to show that
the discrimination issue is constant and every adapting. In the
sixties, women were fighting to be able to obtain degrees and enter
fields that once were not allowed to them. While women today are
fighting for equal pay and promotions as well. Women are a considerably
large portion of the modern-day workforce, however, in the same position
with the same criteria as men earn on average twenty percent lower.
The
wage gap has been a large controversial issue that should not be
ignored. It seems that most aspects of employment were kept from women
at some point, and they have to continue to fight for equality on every
detail. The Title VII
has been historical because it now provides a legal precedent that
individuals can use to build upon for substance of their legal fights.
In the 1980's the federal courts prohibited sexual harassment under the
Act stating that sexual harassment is sexual discrimination.
Also,
there is a foundation and legal path that women can continue on, it all
began with this trailblazing act in 1964 and the individuals who passed
it. One thing that has been shown over history is that women will not
stop fighting or back down until equality is achieved.
Despite
all the current challenges that take place over the years and today,
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with Title VII is important for every
person. This Act has provided women with the positive changes that have
pushed them towards no longer being discriminated against because of
their gender. Better yet, it provides legal protection against that
discrimination. While the legal standing of discrimination is much more
substantive than 50 years ago, discrimination is still existing and
women are still being suppressed in the workforce. While this fight is
strong, it will probably never fully be won and will exist in some form.
What should now be don't to help provide protection of equal rights
under the law? By continuing to back Title VII and creating a strong
precedent, discrimination will be harder to get away with legally. The
Federal Government should also continue to work with state and local
governments to enforce and create local laws that protect against
infringing on these rights. Continuing to pursue legal rights of women
and the discrimination of sex will help fight this issue to every extent
possible, and will provide everyone with the opportunities and rights
they deserve.