ACLU: American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio
Keeping America Safe and Free
Criminal Justice Voting Rights Immigrant Rights LGBT Rights Juvenile Justice All Issues
RSS Feeds
Join Now (raise public awareness)
Donate Now (make a tax deductible gift)
Calendar (see a full list of events)
Email Alert (get information on the issues)
Save the Date!
ACLU Statewide Conference
July 28, 2012 Your Voice! Your Power! 2012

Click here for highlights from the 2010 Conference

Women's Rights

Updated 08.04.11 In the decades since Jane Addams, Crystal Eastman, and Helen Keller worked with other civil libertarians to found the American Civil Liberties Union, the expansion of women’s rights has become a core part of the ACLU’s mission. Women have sought the right to control one’s own body, to have equal educational and economic opportunities, and to fair treatment under the criminal justice system.

What's Happening in Ohio


Backlash against Reproductive Rights
The Ohio General Assembly has passed two bills that further curtail Ohio women’s reproductive rights, including a ban on abortions after 24 weeks and a ban on abortions performed in public hospitals. Other bills, including the “Heartbeat Bill,” are pending. More information about women’s reproductive freedom is available here.


What's Happening Nationally


Patents on Breast Cancer Genes
In May 2009, the ACLU and the Public Patent Foundation filed a lawsuit charging that patents on two human genes associated with breast and ovarian cancer are unconstitutional and invalid. The suit charges that the patents stifle diagnostic testing and research that could lead to cures and that they limit women's options for medical care. On July 29, 2011, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the patents were valid. The ACLU had not yet determined if it will appeal. Updates and more information about the case are available here.


Supreme Court Ruling Enabling Employment Discrimination
The Supreme Court decided in Wal-Mart v. Dukes that women who had faced discriminatory practices at Wal-Mart could not proceed with a class action lawsuit. The ACLU and other civil rights organizations had urged the Supreme Court to allow the suit to proceed. As it stands, the decision will make it significantly more difficult for victims of discrimination to seek redress.


Resources

Visit our Reproductive Rights issue page for more information about women's issues.

Check out our Publications page for more resources on women's issues.

ACLU Women’s Rights Project, News and information about women’s rights nationally

Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers, Research on women as candidates and the impact of gender on elections

Feminist Majority Foundation, Information about women’s rights, with an emphasis on engaging young feminists

Mothers Behind Bars, National Women's Law Center and the Rebecca Project for Human Rights, 2010

National Organization for Women, News and advocacy on women’s rights

National Women’s History Museum, Online exhibits, biographies of women leaders, and educational resources

Public Assistance: A Safety Net for Women and Children at Risk, Coalition of Cleveland-area non-profit organizations, February 2010

Read women's rights news releases and articles in our News Center.

Browse our webcasts for programs related to women's rights:
Audio webcasts
Video webcasts