Senator Michael Gianaris Pushes Women’s Equality Agenda

Senator Michael Gianaris stood with the National Organization for Women and his Democratic colleagues to voice support for the Women’s Equality Agenda, a 10-point proposal offered by Governor Cuomo. The Women’s Equality Agenda aims to protect women’s rights and end discrimination based on gender. Senator Gianaris believes its passage is essential as New York continues to lead the way forward on the issue of women’s rights.

“New York has a great history as a progressive leader when it comes to women's rights and it is imperative that we continue to lead the nation on this critical issue,” said Senator Gianaris.

“Attempts to roll back hard-fought victories for women's equality are sweeping the country and have proven that this fight is far from over. Passing the Women's Equality Agenda would enshrine in law a woman's right to control her own health care decisions and would be a signal that the women's equality effort continues to move forward, with New York State leading the way.”

Just last month the Governor of North Dakota signed legislation outlawing abortions after 20 weeks. Sadly, this radical and controversial law is part of a worrying trend of anti-women legislation occurring in statehouses nationwide. Senator Gianaris believes that by passing the Women’s Equality Agenda into law, New York will protect past victories in the fight for women’s rights and build upon them to eliminate discrimination and inequality based on gender once and for all.

“To achieve equal pay for equal work and to protect a woman’s freedom of choice would be a telling affirmation of our fundamental notion of equality between the sexes. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the Women’s Equality Agenda and help continue our state’s tradition of leadership on the issues of equality and fairness.”

The 10 proposals of Governor Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Agenda are:

• Protect a Woman’s Freedom of Choice
• Achieve Pay Equity
• Stop Sexual Harassment in All Workplaces
• Allow for the Recovery of Attorneys’ Fees in Employment and Credit and Lending Cases
• Strengthen Human Trafficking Laws
• End Family Status Discrimination
• Stop Source-of-Income Discrimination
• Stop Housing Discrimination for Victims of Domestic Violence
• Stop Pregnancy Discrimination Once and For All
• Protect Victims of Domestic Violence by Strengthening Order-of-Protection Laws  

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