The LWV of the United States supports the ratification of  the United Nations: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is the most comprehensive and detailed international agreement which seeks the advancement of women. It establishes rights for women in areas not previously subject to international standards. The treaty provides a universal definition of discrimination against women so that those who would discriminate on the basis of sex can no longer claim that no clear definition exists. It also calls for action in nearly every field of human endeavor: politics, law, employment, education, health care, commercial transactions and domestic relations.

To date, the United States is one of only seven countries ( that have not yet ratified CEDAW. It is essential that the U.S. ratify CEDAW and continue to play a leadership role in advancing women’s and girls’ rights globally.

The United States is one of only seven countries of the world -the others being Iran, Sudan, South  Sudan, Somalia, Palau and Tonga – that have yet to ratify the treaty. Today 193 countries have ratified the women’s treaty. As a leading advocate for human rights, the United States has a compelling interest to improve conditions for women. Yet, as one of the few nations that has failed to ratify CEDAW, the United States compromises its credibility as a leader for either human rights or women’s rights.

Ratification will be called for at the Fifth World Conference on Women (date/place to be  determined). It is essential that the U.S. ratify CEDAW and continue to play a leadership role in  advancing these human rights globally.

With our local 2013-14 program we will form a committee to

  • educate the community on CEDAW: what it is, it’s history and where we are now;
  • educate the community on violence against women here in the Elgin Area;
  • build a partnership and join the efforts of the LWVUS, LWVIL, United Nations-Chicago Chapter, the Community Crisis Center, the YWCA Elgin and other interested participants; and
  • educate the community on how a UN Treaty becomes US law.