A true “Women’s Bill of Rights” would include so much more

So, a few weeks ago, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt made much fanfare about signing an executive order entitled the Women’s Bill of Rights.

Surrounded by a group of female business owners, medical professionals and athletes, the governor signed an order that he said will unify laws and rules.

The executive order spells out that being “female” or “male” is based off biology. It adds that “sex”, defined as solely male or female, is assigned at birth. 

It appears his executive order mostly parrots a similar “bill” promoted by a national movement with a website titled womensbillofrights.com.

According to that web site, more than 26,000 people have signed this bill, including Gov. Stitt. The signees also include candidates for office and lawmakers.

To be clear, this bill basically addresses only one aspect of policies and social agendas that are impacting women in an important way – and that is the gender definition controversy sweeping the nation. The primary goal of this bill is to confirm the biological differences between males and females and that “inconsistencies in court rulings and policy initiatives with respect to the definitions of ‘sex,’ ‘male,’ ‘female,’ ‘man,’ and ‘woman’ have led to endangerment of single-sex spaces and resources, thereby necessitating clarification of certain terms . . . “

Of course, critics are quick to say that this movement – and Stitt’s executive order – are only about one thing: discriminating against transgender women.

They are correct that the transgender movement is a target of this bill and others like it. And, I agree that recent policies and social agendas on this issue are challenging the rights of biological women in several areas, including having safe single-sex spaces and – in some areas – in sports competition.

However, I disagree with calling this the “Women’s Bill of Rights” because a true women’s bill or rights would include so much more; such as protecting women’s rights to making reproductive choices, women’s rights to maternal health care and women’s rights to safe, reliable and affordable childcare. Add to that women’s rights to fair pay and job security.

I agree that women do need some legal protections in today’s social atmosphere. Women’s rights are being challenged by an aggressive transgender movement, and they are also being challenged by aggressive ultra-conservative policies that are taking away their healthcare options and choices.

Unfortunately, those who are swooning to this national “Women’s Bill of Rights” movement are focusing only on what is convenient for them to support. These other issues I bring up are more complicated and don’t conform to a one-size-fits-all philosophy.

These so-called “Women’s Bill of Rights” are not addressing the many areas in which women are being challenged and discriminated against. And, unfortunately, they likely never will.