The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Impact on Women Term Paper

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 Impact on Women - Term Paper Example African-Americans were considered inferior in a way and were not treated as equals to the rest of society. The president took it to himself to express his concern on this issues and the need to address them, but was assassinated before he could actualize the passing of the civil rights bill. The vice-president took over, and even though he had previously objected to a similar bill, he saw the need to push the 1964 civil rights act, in a bid to improve the living standards of the African-Americans within the United States society. The president signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 owing to the support given by the public who say the need for change. Initially, the powers to facilitate enforcement of the Act were weak but were enhanced as with time. This piece of legislation outlawed main forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion and gender. The Act ended unequal application of voter registration requirements where the Fifteenth Amendment sought to protect voting rights (Foley et al, 2007). In addition, the legislation guaranteed equal protection to all citizens in accordance to the law by ending racial segregation in schools, workplaces and public places. Public accommodation facilities such as motels, hotels restaurants, theaters among others, were barred from discriminating concerning race. Desegregation was also encouraged in public schools. The Act also provided equal employment opportunities by discouraging discrimination and the establishment of Equal Employment Opportunities Commission, which review employment complaints. The Community Relations service was also established to aid in resolution of disputes related to discriminatory practices, which are based on race, color or nationality. The landmark piece of legislation in the form of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had its impacts felt by many but mostly changed the lives of minorities as well as women. Initially, the bill did not include abolishing discrimination based on gen der, but following some amendments, women were included. Before the bill was passed, few women challenged male domination in the society concerning jobs and religion. The few who struggle to secure equal rights were secluded and punished for the same. The bill placed women on a level playing field by giving them equal rights and by protecting them through the law. This indicated to women that they also mattered just as much as men in the society did. The legislature also outlawed discrimination due to color, race, religion and gender among employers. In this regard, women were provided with an opportunity to secure employment competitively in accordance to their qualifications. In addition, women were presented with equal educational opportunities. The act also protects women from disparities that may arise in terms of compensation by advocating for equal pay. This way, they could also acquire credit facilities to improve their lives. Women are protected from all form advances that fit the definition of sexual harassment and has been established as a form of discrimination under Title VII of the U.S. Civil Rights Act of 1964, which involves unsolicited sexual advances, requests for sexual favors or conduct of a sexual nature with reference to matters of employment or at the workplace. Successful complaints have seen perpetrators punished in accordance to the law (Matonak n.d). In the event, that the Civil Rights