What significant impact was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) intended to achieve?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was primarily intended to establish equality for women and ensure that this equality was enforced at the federal level. The text of the amendment states, "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex." This clear assertion establishes a constitutional guarantee of equal rights, aiming to eliminate legal distinctions between sexes in the eyes of the law.

By focusing on establishing equality, the ERA sought to address a broad spectrum of rights and protections that women had historically been denied, not just in specific areas like the workplace or education. While providing protections for women in the workforce, ensuring gender representation, or mandating equal educational opportunities are significant issues related to gender equality, the primary goal of the ERA was a more generalized and encompassing equality under the law. This focus on overarching legal equality differentiates it from other movements or legislative efforts that target specific aspects of gender discrimination.