California Civil Rights Coalition

The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law, chaired by Senator Durbin (D-Ill), will hold a hearing on CEDAW  November 18th, 2010This is the first hearing on CEDAW since 2002, and the first-ever hearing on the ratification of a human rights treaty in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The hearing will focus on the importance of the United States remaining a world leader on human rights issues and ratifying this critical treaty. Please add your voice in support of women!

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the only international human rights treaty to focus exclusively on the rights of women. It has been ratified by 186 of 193 countries worldwide. The United States is one of seven countries that have failed to ratify CEDAW, joined by countries such as Iran, Somalia, and Sudan. The treaty protects fundamental human rights, addressing violence against women, the right to vote, sex trafficking, and access to education, among other issues.

SAMPLE MESSAGE for Senator Durbin: Call (202) 224-2152

As your constituent, I am calling because I cannot understand why the U.S. Senate has failed to ratify the CEDAW Treaty for the Rights of Women. It is critical to ending violence against women and girls and to providing economic opportunity. I urge you to support immediate ratification.

The United States should strive to be a leader and to set a positive example for the rest of world by its commitment to women and expanding women’s rights.  I urge you to work to ensure immediate ratification of the CEDAW Treaty.