Women's Rights

Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, we push for a world where women are able to live equally and fully in society.

In a crowd of people at the Women's March, the focal point is on one black sign that reads in white, "Our Voice is Our Power."

From our case to pave the way for the first woman firefighter in New Haven; to our lawsuit to require Quinnipiac University to provide equal athletic opportunities for women; to our lawsuit alongside military sexual assault survivors to force the military to release records of disability benefit claims from survivors of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment; to fighting in the courts and legislature to overturn the state's "manifest danger" law that previously allowed the state to imprison umarried women under the age of 21; to suing employers who only asked women job applicants about their reproductive histories; to fighting to ensure all girls can compete in school sports, the ACLU of Connecticut has a long history of fighting for women's rights.

A look back at history shows that women have made great strides in the fight for equality, including women’s suffrage and inroads in equal opportunity in the workplace and education. Despite the tremendous progress made in the struggle for gender equality, women still face violence, discrimination, and institutional barriers to equal participation in society. Through litigation, advocacy, and public education, we push for change to end discrimination against women.

The Latest

Resource
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Firewalls for Freedom

News & Commentary
ACLU of CT Smart Justice leader Terri Ricks sits, smiling and facing the camera. She is wearing glasses and a blue people not prisons sweatshirt, in front of a yellow people not prisons sign.

Schools should be places of learning. Not places for policing.

It didn’t make any sense to me that at a place of learning where I wanted to be focused on my future, instead I was facing just another battle. Police in schools are pre-prepping young people to be traumatized and victimized when they’re just trying to be students.
Press Release
Breaking News ACLU of Connecticut

ACLU Foundation of CT Joins Lawsuit Challenging Breastfeeding Discrimination

The ACLU Foundation of CT will represent a Norwalk mother in a lawsuit that seeks to uphold the right to breastfeed without restriction in public schools under Connecticut’s civil rights law.
Issue Areas: Reproductive Justice, Women's Rights
News & Commentary
In black, on a green background, is the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC logo. A semi-circle with prongs, like a sun or crown, is on the left, over the "r" in "rise". Below, it says "ACLU of Connecticut PAC"

Get to Know the Candidates for Governor

Learn more about the candidates for governor in the ACLU of Connecticut Rise PAC questionnaires.
Legislation
Apr 05, 2023

SB 1133, An Act Limiting a Finding of Neglect or Risk of Injury to a Child in Certain Circumstances

Senate Bill 1133 erects reasonable guardrails on DCF’s ability to interfere with parents’ reasonable exercise of discretion in terms of independence and autonomy granted to their children
Position: Support
Legislation
Apr 05, 2023

SR 42, A Resolution Proposing a State Constitutional Amendment Concerning a Right to Privacy

As the U.S. Supreme Court has turned its back on nearly fifty years of precedent on the right to privacy, a lack of access to reproductive health services, including abortion, is already threatening people’s lives and futures across the country.
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 14, 2023

HB 6859, An Act Concerning Predictable Scheduling

Tens of thousands of workers in Connecticut begin their work week without knowing their schedule. They work with unpredictable, fluctuating work weeks that they cannot control. These workers cannot rely on their jobs to provide stability or a consistent paycheck.
Position: Support
Legislation
Mar 13, 2023

HB 6618, An Act Concerning Medical Assistance for Certain Provisions Receiving Abortion Care and Related Services in Connecticut

The ACLU-CT unwaveringly supports the constitutional right to seek an abortion. As anti-abortion politicians across the country deny our freedom and obstruct access to abortion, the ACLU-CT supports legislation that increases access to abortion.
Position: Support