What did the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) seek to guarantee?

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) aimed to guarantee equal legal rights regardless of sex. Specifically, its primary focus was to eliminate legal distinctions between men and women in matters of divorce, property, employment, and other areas of civil rights. The amendment was introduced to the U.S. Congress in 1923 and sought to provide women with the same rights as men, thus addressing gender inequality and promoting equal treatment under the law. Although the ERA was passed by Congress in 1972, it ultimately fell short of being ratified by the necessary number of states. This historical context highlights the amendment's goal of ensuring that sex would not serve as a basis for discrimination, reinforcing the importance of legal equality in advancing women's rights.