Womens' Rights

Women have made great strides in the fight for equality, but gender bias continues to create huge barriers for many, especially poor women, women of color, and immigrant women.

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Ongoing struggles include ensuring equal economic and educational opportunities, ending gender-based violence, and addressing the harms to women and girls in the criminal justice system. Since 1972 the ACLU has been working to systematically end sex discrimination and ensure that all women and girls are able to lead lives of dignity.

The Latest

Know Your Rights
Sex Discrimination

Know Your Rights: Sex Discrimination

Press Release
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ACLU of Arkansas Recognizes Work of Activist For Gay and Lesbian Youth, Carolyn Wagner

Issue Areas: Womens' Rights, LGBTQ Rights
Press Release
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ACLU of Arkansas Names New Staff Attorney Holly Dickson

Issue Areas: Womens' Rights
Press Release
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ACLU of Arkansas to Defend Women and Families at the State House This Week

Issue Areas: Womens' Rights, Reproductive Rights
Court Case
Sep 11, 2015

Planned Parenthood of Great Plains V. Gillespie: Denial of Medicaid Funding

In September, 2015, the ACLU of Arkansas and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland filed suit to ensure that people with limited incomes could continue to access affordable birth control and other healthcare at Planned Parenthood health centers using their Medicaid benefits.
Court Case
Jul 10, 2014

Edwards v. Beck: Reproductive Rights

Victory! In April, 2013, the ACLU, ACLU of Arkansas and the Centers for Reproductive Rights challenged in federal court a 2013 law that banned abortions after twelve weeks of pregnancy, saying it violated the right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy before viability. The federal court agreed. However, the court upheld a separate provision mandating that doctors perform an ultrasound on women seeking abortions and then inform her in writing whether the fetus has a “heartbeat,” and what the chances are of carrying a fetus of that gestational age to term.