UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Dear US President, US Congress, US Senate,
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). December 18th, 2009, marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the treaty by the United Nations, and while 186 countries have ratified the convention, the United States remains one of only seven countries in the world that have not. Ratification of the treaty is critical and urgent for continuing progress on women’s and girls’ rights in this nation and for bolstering efforts to support and advance women’s rights as well as democracy, liberty, civil rights, universal human rights, dignity, and well being worldwide. CEDAW is particularly important at this point in time of global conflicts; financial and economical turmoil, global warming and climate change; and in a globalization world. Women have much at stake in the current debates over issues such as war, poverty, social ills, violence, child care, health care and services, federal paid parental leave, the recovery of the economy, legislation, and social structures. And the success of government initiatives on those efforts will depend on addressing the discrimination against women that persists in health care, in the work place, and in society as a whole.In addition, ratification of CEDAW would strengthen and advance the US Constitution, US leadership, this nation values, the common goods, and humanity goodness and virtues. It would be a great disservice to female and justice everywhere that the US does not participate in the single most important global mechanism for advancing women’s and girls’ rights. By joining and being active in CEDAW, the US would participate and promote a stronger and more robust dialogue, alliance, and program between governments, civil society and human rights experts on the most effective means for achieving equality for women and girls globally.As a member of the UN Security Council and UN Human Rights Council, the US must do all it can to protect, defend, and advance the UN as well as this nation ideals, principles, values, common goods, and mission. We hereby, strongly urge and encourage the Congress and Senate to include the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families an integral part of the Immigration Reform legislation to set good global examples; to support the UN in advancing the treaty to include all nations; and to transform societies and nations to build a better world and humanity. We thank you for your caring, support, empathy, efforts, and humility on this critical and urgent cause.We hereby, strongly urge and encourage the Congress and Senate to pass legislation to ratify and support CEDAW to transform societies and nations and to build a better world and humanity. We thank you for your caring, support, empathy, efforts, and humility on this critical and urgent cause.