OHIO BUSINESS AND
PROFESSIONAL WOMEN
2007-2008 LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM

PREAMBLE: 
The Alice Paul Equal Rights Amendment shall stand first, foremost and above all other items which may appear on the Legislative Platform of this Federation until equal rights for women and men become guaranteed in the United States Constitution.

THE ALICE PAUL EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT:
Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.

CIVIL RIGHTS:
Actively work to pass legislation, which will ensure equal rights and remedies for women in all phases of their lives, including support of affirmative action programs; and eliminate sexual harassment against individuals.

ECONOMIC EQUITY:
Actively work to support equal educational opportunities; equal treatment for women in all areas of employment, including adequate retirement benefits, improved programs for women re-entering the workforce, and implementation of equal pay for work of comparable worth.

DEPENDENT CARE:
Promote measures to strengthen and improve enrichment programs, physical facilities, and funding for affordable quality dependent care of all ages.

VICTIM RIGHTS:
Actively work to strengthen and enforce legal protection for all individuals who are victims of violent acts including domestic and/or sexual violence; promote violence prevention programs; support services and facilities for survivors of this violence and the funding thereof; and support legislation, which provides compensatory and punitive damage awards to victims.

HEALTH:
Actively work to strengthen and enforce legal protection for full access to all health care services including reproductive choice, funding for research into and protection for women’s health care and educational programs concerning women’s health issues.

POLICY ITEMS:
Actively work for the election of and appointment to policy-making positions those who support the BPW Legislative Platform.

Actively support the BPW/USA Legislative Platform.

Adopted May, 2007