Human Rights - California National Organization for Women

Human Rights

California NOW believes that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and must enjoy the equal protection of the law against discrimination based on their sexuality, sex, gender, race, color, age, ethnicity, disability, language, religion, immigration status, national or social origin, or other status.

Since the California Supreme Court has held that the California Constitution’s Declaration of Rights can be amended by majority vote, we have to look for leaders who support an initiative that declares that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that any initiatives that are inconsistent with that declaration cannot become law in this state. We also need leaders who understand the importance of analyzing governmental programs and policies to ensure they do not discriminate.

For example, much of California’s economic success comes from the food we grow. However, the men and women who work every day to ensure that our state’s economy continues to prosper have not always been treated with dignity and respect. They have not always received basic protection such as adequate water, shade, and rest breaks. Farm workers, like all workers in this country, deserve the opportunity to form unions to ensure better pay, improved working conditions and the right to overtime pay.

We believe that every aspect of local, county and state government should provide the necessary data to the public to assess whether governmental programs and policies discriminate against anyone based on their sexuality, sex, gender race, color, age, ethnicity, disability, language, religion, immigration status, national or social origin, or other status.