CEDAW. Advancing Human Rights for Women and Girls. Sarah C. Albert. The National Committee on UN CEDAW.

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1 CEDAW Advancing Human Rights for Women and Girls By Sarah C. Albert

2 About the National Committee for UN CEDAW Founded by Billie Heller in 1980, the National Committee on UN CEDAW is a national, grassroots organization solely dedicated to achieving United States ratification of CEDAW.

3 The Three Pillars of the United Nations Safeguard and promote economic and social development Maintenance of international security and peace Protection of Human Rights

4 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Adopted in 1948 Serves as the genesis for all future human rights treaties

5 Nine Major Human Rights Treaties ICERD International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1965 ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1966 CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1979 CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984 CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 ICRMW CPED International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2006

6 The U.S. and Human Rights Treaties: A Long Road to Ratification ICERD International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination 1994 ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1992 ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights 1977 CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1980 CAT Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1994 CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child 1995 ICRMW CPED International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance CRPD Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2009 Ratified by the United States Signed, but not ratified No action Taken

7 Major Historical Milestones for CEDAW 1952 Convention on the Political Rights of Women 1957 Convention on the Nationality of Married Women 1962 Convention on the Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age of Marriage, and Registration of Marriage 1966 International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 International Convenant on Economic, Cultural, and Social Rights 1967 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 1972 Commission on the Status of Women recommend that 1975 become International Women's Year; existing treaties not enough to combat discrimination 1975 UN World Conference on Women recommends CEDAW 1979 CEDAW Adopted by UN General Assembly Mar-80 Open for Signature Jul-80 Special ceremony held during second World Conference on Women to accelerate signatures 51 state parties, including U.S. sign treaty; two state parties ratify Sep-81 CEDAW enters into force 1995 Beijing Conference: agree to universal ratification by 2000

8 What is CEDAW? CEDAW is regarded as the most important international mechanism for women s equality. It addresses physical, sexual, economic, and political abuses against women and promotes women's equality of rights and well-being. CEDAW holds that basic human rights for women should be universal across cultures and religions.

9 What is CEDAW? CEDAW is about women being able to exercise the same human rights as men. CEDAW is a Bill of Rights that can save women s lives. CEDAW is a blueprint for those seeking justice. CEDAW empowers women in other nations by enabling them to bring national attention and point to an international standard of human rights for the treatment of women. The treaty is an essential tool for creating a dialogue and awareness of women s basic human rights.

10 About CEDAW Ratified by 186 countries more than 95% of the UN member states. Second highest number of ratifications for a human rights treaty. Only the Convention on the Rights of the Child enjoys more ratifications.

11 How Does CEDAW Work? A CEDAW Committee, comprised of 23 international experts, monitor the implementation of the treaty. Similar to other treaties, states parties submit a report the first year after ratification and then every four years. The reports are an important vehicle for identifying areas of improvement and increasing awareness.

12 Optional Protocols In 1999, two Optional Protocols were adopted to strengthen the treaty and assist the CEDAW Committee in its work: Established inquiry procedure Create mechanism for individual communication

13 U.S. Ratification Efforts of CEDAW December 18, 1979: United Nations unanimously approves CEDAW. July 17, 1980: President Jimmy Carter signs the treaty. 1990: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a hearing on the Treaty. September 1994: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee votes 13 to 5 with one abstention to recommend treaty passage by the full Senate. Several senators put a "hold" on it for the duration of the 103rd Congress. 1999: Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and nine other senators call for a new hearing and treaty ratification, but are rebuffed by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. June 13, 2002: Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, holds a hearing on CEDAW. July 30, 2002: The treaty was voted favorably out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by a 12 to 7 margin. The Senate adjourns without time for voting on ratification. The treaty reverts back to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee where it remains today. November 18, 2010: The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law holds a hearing. Over 80 organizations submitted testimony; largest turnout ever to a hearing of this subcommittee.

14 Opposition to Treaties In 1999, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and several other Members of Congress called for a new hearing and treaty ratification. The members were rebuffed by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC), then chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and removed from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Room by the Capital Police.

15 Challenges to Ratification Many of the opponents arguments against ratification have been raised about other multilateral agreements as well. For example, when speaking about the Law of the Sea Treaty at the Brookings Institution, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar said, If we cannot get beyond political paralysis in a case where the coalition of American supporters is so comprehensive, there is little reason to think that any multi-lateral solution to any international problem is likely to be accepted within the U.S. policy-making structure.

16 It s Time to Ratify CEDAW! Women s rights are human rights, and CEDAW affirms fundamental principles of human rights for equality for women and girls. The treaty is a critical tool for creating awareness of advancing women s basic human rights. U.S. ratification of CEDAW would reinforce the United States unequivocal commitment to women s progress at home and around the world.