United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

The Treaty for the Rights of Women is the most complete international agreement on basic rights for women. The Treaty is officially known as the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The United States played an important role in drafting the Treaty, which185 nations have ratified as of March 1, 2007. Ironically, the United States is now one of only eight countries that have yet to ratify CEDAW, alongside Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga.

The Treaty for the Rights of Women addresses basic human rights of women and can be a useful tool to:

• Reduce violence against women
• Ensure access to education and health care
• Provide legal recourse against violations of women’s human rights

U.S. failure to ratify the Treaty undermines the powerful principle that human rights of women are universal across all cultures, nations, and religions, and worthy of being guaranteed through international human rights standards. It is time to stand firmly for the rights of women internationally by ratifying this Treaty.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Read the text of the CEDAW Resolution passed at the AAUW National Convention in Phoenix in June 2007.

What is CEDAW?
» Detailed information can be found on the United Nations website and at Amnesty USA

Why ratify CEDAW?
» Amnesty USA's "Primary Talking Points" provide persuasive commentary to respond to this important question.

What is the Working Group on the Ratification of CEDAW?
» Visit the United Nations and find out what this group does, who is involved and download "CEDAW: Treaty for the Rights of Women (2004)"

What has CEDAW accomplished?
» Background Information from Amnesty-USA describes CEDAW accomplishments.
» Read United Nations Country Reports at http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/index.htm

What is the U.S. government position on CEDAW?
» For recent U.S. Statements, visit www.state.gov; Keyword: CEDAW
» Read "CEDAW in the United States" from www.womenstreaty.org
» Amnesty USA's "Primary Talking Points"

ADVOCACY AND ACTION
How can we engage in advocacy efforts to highlight the need for ratification of this important treaty?

• AAUW Public Policy Program Brochure 2007-09 See: Principles for Action
• AAUW Two-Minute Activist (Legislative Issues - Ratify the Women's Rights Treaty)
• Amnesty USA  - Support Basic rights for All Women: Urge the U.S. to Ratify CEDAW
• United Nations Association-USA section on "Featured Bills and Resolutions -110th Congress"
• Amnesty USA's "Primary Talking Points"

STATE AND BRANCH PROGRAMMING IDEAS

• Additional ideas and activities for action for states and branches.

ESSENTIAL CEDAW WEBSITES

• ttp://www.aauw.org/advocacy/issue_advocacy (AAUW Public Policy)
• http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/index.htm (United Nations)
• www.womenstreaty.org (Working Group on the Ratification of CEDAW)
• www.state.gov (U.S. Department of State) Keyword "CEDAW" for U.S. government statements)
• www.una-usa.org (United Nations Association-USA)
• www.amnesty-usa.org/women/cedaw (Amnesty USA)

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