December 18th marks the 30th anniversary of global adoption of CEDAW – the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Rosemary Straley (RPCV Ghana 62-64; Country Director Cameroon 78-79) has been active in CEDAW advocacy ever since attending the 4th UN World Conference on Women in 1995 where she learned that the U.S. had not ratified the treaty. Unfortunately, Straley and other women’s advocates are still waiting. While 96% of the world’s nations have now ratified the treaty, the U.S. remains among a handful of nations that have yet to take action.
According to Straley, “CEDAW provisions guarantee that women, who hold up ‘half the sky’, will have access to basic human rights by exposing discriminatory practices.” She says experience demonstrates that empowering women by increasing their opportunities leads to greater investments in families, education and economic security.
Follow this link to learn more about CEDAW and its 30 years of advancement and success.
Ratification of international treaties requires a two-thirds vote of the United States Senate, so Straley urges supporters to contact their Senators to urge ratification. And, she notes, a CEDAW National Day of Action is already in the works for next March 8th – International Women’s Day.
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