It has been 97 years since the first version of the ERA was written by Alice Paul and Crystal Eastman. Well, we have waited too long and it is about time to ratify ERA. Constitution rights for me as a woman, to all women must be the same as men.
Early this month, I was preparing for the International Women’s Day talk addressing delegates from around the globe. My topic was the Challenges faced by Women in Technology, fears and gaps and the impact on high-tech with less women’s involvement. The data I came across while preparing for the talk was astonishing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects Computer Science & Research jobs will grow 19% by 2026. The above chart indicates there are not as many women entering the workforce. We not only have a deficit in women technologists but on average a woman earns 87% of what a man earns.
Decades have passed yet the gender parity, equality seems a distant mirage. Women are still deprived to be on the critical decision-making forums resulting in widening the gender gaps. All this arises only because women do not have equal rights under the law. We must take the step forward. Equal Rights must be enshrined in our Constitution. ERA Now!
Suma Shamanna, lives in India and votes in Oregon.