CEDAW

Did you know that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, known as CEDAW, is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world? 
 

Did you know the CEDAW agreement was adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly and entered into force in 1981? Almost all countries have ratified CEDAW, in fact 187 out of 193 countries.
 

Did you know the United States,  along with Sudan, Somalia, Iran, and two small Pacific Island nations (Palau and Tonga), has NOT ratified CEDAW?
 

With that knowledge in mind, UN women believes the very best way to recognize International Human Rights Day is to refocus our efforts to advocate for the passage of CEDAW in the United States.  Women’s rights ARE human rights but women’s rights are not universally respected … and the United States should be leading the way to ensure that they are!

Passing CEDAW will definitely establish the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls. In countries that have ratified CEDAW, women have partnered with their governments to improve the status of women and girls, and as a result have changed laws and policies to create greater safety and opportunity for women and their families.
 
CEDAW can make a difference for women and girls specifically to:

• Reduce sex trafficking & domestic violence
• Provide access to education & vocational training
• Ensure the right to vote
• End forced marriage, child marriage & ensure inheritance rights
• Help mothers and families by providing access to maternal health care
• Ensure the right to work & own a business without discrimination
 

The American public strongly supports the principles and values of equality, fairness, education, and basic human rights, but there is much work required to get CEDAW passed. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee (the Committee that typically reviews and votes on international treaties before they are considered by the full Senate) has twice voted favourably on the CEDAW treaty.  However, it has never been brought to the Senate floor for a vote where ratification will require a two-thirds vote to pass (67 out of 100 Senators). Presidents Reagan, Bush, and Clinton achieved the ratification of similar landmark agreements on torture, genocide and race discrimination.  Ratification of CEDAW would continue America’s proud bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights by extending those rights to cover women and girls specifically. It’s up to us to make CEDAW fully known to/understood by the American public and supported by our congressional representatives.
 

Take the CEDAW Pledge:
 
I pledge to stand with women and girls around the world in strongly supporting CEDAW until all countries recognize the equality and human rights of women and ratify this important treaty.  As such, I will do the following:
• Sign up to get periodic updates about CEDAW.
• Educate my family, friends and colleagues about the importance of CEDAW.
• Urge my organization to sign-on as a supporter of CEDAW.
• Educate my policy makers about the benefits of CEDAW.
• Support CEDAW grassroots activities in the United States.

CEDAW – Know utm understand it, advocate for it and educate others!