How Women’s Rights Have Evolved Over The Past 20 Years

What You Need to Know About How Women’s Rights Have Evolved Over The Past 20 Years

Women’s rights have made many strides over the years. However, many people are not aware of all the changes that have been made. Here’s everything you need to know about how women’s rights have evolved over the past 20 years.

Over the past 20 years, some significant positive change has occurred in women’s rights. These changes can be categorized into three distinct areas: fair pay, the military, and politics.

Fair Pay

One area that positive change has been made for women’s rights is fair pay. In 2009, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act was put in place. This act allowed victims of pay discrimination, usually women, to file a complaint with the government against their employer within 180 days of their last paycheck. This act made huge strides towards women achieving equal pay and being equals in the workplace.

However, there have been some setbacks when it comes to fair pay. In 2012, the Paycheck Fairness Act failed in the Senate on a party-line vote. This act would have helped to fight gender discrimination in the workplace. This bill was later filibustered by Republicans twice. This area is a place where women’s rights are still lacking. There is still so much work to do in efforts to reach gender equality, and in government, their rights are continually rebuffed and pushed to the side.

Military

The second area of positive change in women’s rights is in the military. In 2013, the ban against women in military combat positions was removed. This ban removal overturned the 1994 Pentagon decision restricting women from combat roles.

Yet there are still many miles to go when it comes to gender equality in the military. Sexual harassment is a very large issue in the military today. Women make up only 16.5 percent of the armed forces, but nearly 1 in 4 servicewomen report experiences of sexual assault in the military, and more than half report experiencing harassment.

One key reason why justice is rarely served in military sexual assault cases is the way such incidents are investigated and prosecuted. Under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), military commanders have the power to decide whether or not to investigate an incident and pursue legal action — responsibilities that in the civilian world are overseen by dedicated law enforcement. This is a significant issue that needs to change in the pursuit of gender equality. As long as an abuser can hold power over a victim of sexual assault, there will never be true equality.

Politics

Politics arguably presents the biggest shift in women’s rights in the past 20 years. Women are continually gaining more and more seats in federal and state governments, as well as sparking more and more political change.

2007: Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female Speaker of the House.

2008: Alaska Governor Sarah Palin becomes the first woman to run for vice president on the Republican ticket.

2016: Hillary Clinton became the first woman to lead the ticket of a major party when she secured the Democratic Party nomination. The Supreme Court also struck down heavy abortion clinic regulations that were forcing women’s clinics to close.

2017: Congress has a record number of women, with 104 female House members and 21 female Senators, including the chamber’s first Latina, Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto.

2021: Kamala Harris is sworn in as the first woman and first woman of color vice president of the United States.

Moving Forward

There are clear areas where women have made great strides over the past two decades in their fight for equality. Unfortunately, women cannot let up as recent events go to show that misogynists will try to roll back on the gains that women have made. While there have been great strides towards gender equality, we cannot assume that we will continue such momentum. It is up to us – the people – to continuously advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. While we have come a long way, there is still so much more to do.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one would like to know more about how women’s rights have evolved over the past 20 years, contact us. Get your free consultation with one of our Women’s Rights Attorneys today!