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Women's Rights in the U.S.

Human history is replete with the oppression of, and brutality toward women. The Green Party deplores this system of male domination in all its forms - from inequality, and discrimination to domestic violence, rape, trafficking and forced slavery. Although equality is guaranteed in our Constitution and our laws, it must be constantly safeguarded to prevent the relapse of women to second class citizens. We are committed to increasing participation of women in politics, government and leadership with the changes that entails. The election of Greens will re-enforce equal rights and opportunity for women and the Green’s Women’s Caucus is the spearhead to carry out that pledge.

1. Social Equality
   1. Pass the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). We urge accelerated ratification by three or more of the remaining 15 states that are required to pass ERA into law and into the Constitution. We support House Resolution 98, using the precedent of a three-state strategy for ratification.

   2. The Green Party calls for U.S. passage of CEDAW, the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women. It was adopted in 1979 by the U.N. General Assembly and ratified by 173 countries, but still not ratified by the U.S.

   3. The Equal Employment Opportunities Commission must actively investigate and prosecute sexual harassment complaints. Women plaintiffs must protected by the law rather than dismissed or harassed.

2. Reproductive Rights
   1. Women's right to control their bodies is non-negotiable. The option of a safe, legal abortion must remain available to all without hindrance. The "morning- after" pill must be affordable and easily accessible without a prescription. A government-sponsored public relations campaign to educate women about this form of contraception must be initiated. Clinics must be accessible and must offer advice on contraception and the means for contraception; consultation about abortion and the performance of abortions, and; abortion regardless of age or marital status.

   2. Health insurance policies must include contraception and abortion. For women below the poverty level government must offer these services free.

   3. The US government must not deny support to NGOs that include family planning and abortion in their service to foreign countries that request such service.

3. Economic Equality
   1. Nationally, women still earn only 70% of men's wages for equal jobs. The Green Party calls for federal and state laws with enforcement requirements to achieve pay equity.

   2. The Green Party supports real reform that will sustain single mothers who cannot care for their children and travel to a minimum wage job. In keeping with the imperative for a safety net for all citizens, we support a universal basic income (known also as a guaranteed income or Citizen Dividend, as described in ).

4. Violence and Oppression
   1. The Green Party has zero tolerance for the illegal international trafficking in humans, especially women and children - victims of prostitution and forced labor in agriculture, sweat shops and domestic service.

5. International Women’s Rights
   1. Liaison among Green parties of the world and our concern for human rights must include women's rights and the protection of children in all countries and cultures. The advance in equality for women in the U.S. and western Europe is well ahead of the old status quo in many parts of the world.

   2. The Greens must bear witness and publicly campaign against the continuing abuse of women, and must support women and women’s groups in those countries where abuse is practiced without penalty. In addition we demand that our government single out women and women’s groups for foreign aid to help them gain equality under the law.