CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. CEDAW strengthens the United States as a global leader in standing up for the rights of women and girls worldwide.

The treaty was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 and has been ratified by 186 countries. The United States is one of only seven countries, including Iran, Sudan, Somalia and three Pacific Island nations (Nauru, Palau, and Tonga), that have not yet ratified CEDAW. U.S. ratification of the treaty does not require any additional costs or new appropriations.

For decades, the Baha'is of the United States have worked with a large network of nongovernmental organizations to advance the status of women by advocating policies and legislation, including CEDAW, that promote gender equality. To learn more, please visit http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/ or http://www.cedaw2010.org.

CEDAW 2010 because Women's Rights are Human Rights

Ratifying the CEDAW treaty would continue America's proud bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights. This international agreement offers countries a practical blueprint to achieve progress for women and girls by calling on each ratifying country to overcome barriers of discrimination in a range of areas, such as:

• Violence against women and girls, to reduce sex trafficking and domestic violence (- e.g., Nepal and Mexico)
• Educational opportunities, for access to primary education and all vocational opportunities
• Political participation, including the right to vote, to serve on juries and to hold political office (- e.g., Kuwait)
• Marriage and family relations, bringing an end to forced marriages and ensuring that women have a right to inherit property (- e.g., Morocco and Kenya)
• Maternal health care services, providing access to basic health care so women and families can lead healthier lives
• Economic participation, such as the ability to work and own a business without discrimination

Read the full report from the International Center for Research on Women: "Recognizing Rights Promoting Progress: The Global Impact of CEDAW."

ACTION ALERT:
This Thursday, November 18th, for the first time in eight years, the United States Senate will hold a hearing focused solely on the importance of ratifying CEDAW - a momentous step forward in our push to ratify this important Treaty. One of the witnesses at the hearing will be an international activist who uses CEDAW in her home country of Afghanistan to push for progress for women and girls - and she will express her frustration that the U.S. has yet to ratify this important human rights treaty. This hearing underscores the importance of the U.S. ratifying the Treaty and remaining a world leader on human rights issues and is an important first step towards holding a vote on CEDAW.

We know that when the United States ratifies CEDAW it will strengthen us a leader in standing up for women and girls around the world. We know that Women's Rights are Human Rights. We know that we need action from our leaders in Washington, D.C. Click here and enter your zipcode to send a letter to your senators asking them to urge Senator Kerry to hold a vote on CEDAW now. A sample letter is provided.

Sample Letter to Senators

Dear Senator,

This Thursday, for the first time in eight years, there will be a hearing focused solely on the importance of U.S. ratification of the CEDAW (the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women).  Ratifying CEDAW would strengthen the United States as a global leader in standing up for women and girls around the world.  This hearing is a great first step, but now I need you to urge Senator Kerry to hold a vote on the CEDAW Treaty now.

The United States is one of only seven countries - including Iran, Somalia, Sudan and three Pacific Island nations - that have not ratified CEDAW.  The ratification of this important human rights Treaty will continue America's proud bipartisan tradition in promoting and protecting human rights.  The Treaty provides a practical blueprint for each country to achieve progress  for women and girls.  For instance, Mexico has used CEDAW to establish violence against women laws, by Bangladesh to increase access to educational programs for girls, by Kuwait to grant women the right to vote and the list goes on and on.  As a landmark international agreement that affirms the fundamental human rights of women and girls around the world, ratification is essential for the United States to remain a world leader on human rights issues.

Please contact Senator Kerry as him to hold a vote on CEDAW now.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

How to help: Individual Baha'is in the United States are encouraged to urge further congressional support of CEDAW by writing to their senators and representatives. Find your member of Congress, or learn more about what you can do to help advocate for U.S. ratification of this important treaty for the rights of women worldwide. Learn more at www.cedaw2010.org.