Women’s History Month: Global Lessons, Local Action

March is Women’s History Month. It is a time to celebrate the indispensable role of women in shaping our democracy, as well as a time to reflect on the work still ahead.

This month, I had the honor of representing the League of Women Voters as a delegate to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. There, amidst hundreds of activists and leaders from around the world, I was reminded that the fight for women’s empowerment in democratic institutions is both a global journey and a local mission.

As this year’s Women’s History Month draws to a close, I would like to share some insights from CSW69 and how they resonate with our work here at home.

Global Insights from the United Nations (CSW69)

At CSW69, one theme rang out clearly: when women are fully included in democracy-building, whether drafting constitutions or negotiating peace, nations are stronger and more peaceful.

Evidence from conflict zones and transitional countries shows that women’s participation leads to better and more lasting outcomes for peace​. Yet, we also heard sober realities: even today, women are often sidelined from critical decision-making bodies in post-conflict rebuilding. One panel on Constitutional Transformations in particular highlighted how women frequently have to fight for a seat at the table when new governing frameworks are written after war or upheaval.

Encouragingly, the global community is beginning to turn principle into practice. In Chile, for example, the 2021–2022 Constitutional Convention made history by achieving gender parity among its delegates—a powerful model of equal representation in action​. And in post-coup Myanmar, women have emerged as 60% of the pro-democracy movement, serving as protest leaders, organizers, and even combatants. Their influence secured a provision in the 2022 Federal Democracy Charter to guarantee at least 30% women in future governing institutions.

These stories from CSW69 underscore a universal truth: durable democracy depends on women having an equal voice in governance. It’s not just about token numbers or seats; it’s about the influence women wield to shape a more just and peaceful future.

Hearing directly from women peacebuilders and constitution-writers at the UN was sobering and inspiring. It was a stark reminder that the struggle for gender equality in political life is truly worldwide.

Bringing the Lessons Home: Democracy and Equality in the U.S.

Having absorbed these global lessons, I return home now more convinced than ever that our work at the League is part of the same great continuum of democracy-building. The circumstances may differ, but the core idea is the same: inclusive democracy. Just as women abroad push for a voice in new constitutions, we persist in strengthening our own constitutional and civic framework here in the United States. One poignant example is the League’s longstanding fight for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) – a simple yet profound affirmation that “equality of rights under the law shall not be denied…on account of sex.”

Activists in the United States have rallied for decades to enshrine equal rights for women in our Constitution. The League of Women Voters has been at the forefront of advocacy for the ERA, supporting its ratification since Congress first passed it in 1972​. In recent years, we finally saw the 38th state ratify the amendment, meeting the requirements for it to become part of the Constitution​. Yet, as we know, recognizing the ERA has faced procedural hurdles—a stark reminder that progress is rarely linear. Still, we continue to urge our national leaders to formally accept the ERA, affirming in our nation’s most fundamental document that women must be equal under the law.

Beyond the ERA, the League’s daily work in Chicago and across the country embodies the principle that women’s participation is vital for a healthy democracy. We register and empower new voters, defend voting rights, and advocate for reforms that make our elections more accessible and fair. Every voter we engage and every barrier to the ballot we help remove is part of the legacy of the suffragists; it’s work that remains as important as ever.

We know that when women and marginalized groups vote, run for office, and serve in leadership, our communities benefit. Whether it is pushing for equitable funding of our schools or transparency in our city government, the League’s efforts all come down to the same idea: democracy works best when everyone’s voice is heard.

LWV Chicago President Jane Ruby and Vice President John Engle served as LWVUS delegates to the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women Conference (CSW 69) this month.