2009.1.R1

CEDAW

Status:

ONGOING

Title of Resolution:

2009.1.R1: UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

WG-USA Resolves:

…to join the more than 200 non-governmental organizations that have endorsed US ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Plan of Action:

Women Graduates USA holds CEDAW as the foundation and framework for its action and moral authority and as a blueprint to achieve our goals and forward progress for women and girls. To this end, Women Graduates USA has:

1. Signed on as one of 300 plus members of the Working Group on Ratification of CEDAW in the US.

2. Participated as a sponsor of the 2016 KY HR 6 which passed the KY State House - the first state resolution/legislation in the United States. 

3. Continues to encourage all WG members to contact their legislators in support of CEDAW State Legislation and has created a 'toolkit' for member action. 

4. WG USA has renewed its commitment to CEDAW by establishing a working group to forward new calls for ratification in the US. The need to pass State Legislation in the United States is critical for CEDAW to meet the 2/3 majority of the US Senate in order to pass. Passage of CEDAW in the United States will not only help women and girls in the US but all women, especially migrant women.

Renewed calls for CEDAW passage is gaining momentum in the US as the need for the protections afforded by CEDAW has never been greater. WGUSA remains committed in it's leadership in helping CEDAW ratification.

Supporting Statement:

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was first adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 is the only international Human Rights Treaty to focus exclusively on women's rights. It is often described as an international Bill of Rights for women. 

CEDAW consists of a preamble and 30 articles that define what constitutes discrimination against women and forwards an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

• Part I (Articles 1-6) focuses on non-discrimination, sex stereotypes, and sex trafficking

• Part II (Articles 7-9) outlines women’s rights in the public sphere with an emphasis on political life, representation, and rights to nationality.

• Part III (Articles 10-14) describes the economic and social rights of women, particularly focusing on education, employment, and health. Part III also includes special protections for rural women and the problems they face.

• Part IV (Article 15 and 16) outlines women’s right to equality in marriage and family life along with the right to equality before the law.

• Part V (Articles 17-22) establishes the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women as well as the states parties’ reporting procedure.

• Part VI (Articles 23-30) describes the effects of the Convention on other treaties, the commitment of the states parties and the administration of the Convention.

 * CEDAW has been ratified by 188 countries, but the United States is not one them. In fact, the US is one of only four countries and the only western country to have not ratified CEDAW leading many countries to question the US resolve in forwarding Human Rights. Even though President Jimmy Carter signed CEDAW in 1980, it has remained staled in the US Senate for the past 35 years.

Financial Implication for WG-USA:

At this time no cost is anticipated.

Suggested Resources: 

At this time there are no suggested resources.