Advocates Call For Senate Ratification Of CEDAW, Commemorate International Women's Day

Women's rights advocates on International Women's Day expressed hope on Sunday that the Senate this year will ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, or CEDAW, the AP/Chicago Tribune reports. The United Nations General Assembly first adopted CEDAW in 1979, and out of 192 total member countries, the U.S. is among eight that have not ratified the convention. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chair of the Foreign Relations subcommittee overseeing global women's issues, plans to lead an effort seeking ratification of the convention as part of her agenda. Boxer said, "We've waited long enough. All these years later, there's no excuse for not ratifying this critical convention to shine a light on women's rights around the world." She added that it is "a shame that the U.S. stands with countries such as Iran, Sudan and Somalia in failing to ratify the treaty."

Ratification requires 67 votes. According to the AP/Tribune, there is a good chance that the Senate will ratify CEDAW this year as many Democrats currently serving in Congress support the convention. However, Boxer's efforts could face challenges from conservative opponents who claim the convention will lead to legalized prostitution, government interference in family affairs and a reversal of abortion restrictions. In addition, some liberal advocates have expressed concern that Congressional leaders will add harmful "reservations, understandings and declarations" -- or RUDs -- to the convention in order to encourage Republicans to vote for ratification.

According to the AP/Tribune, some conservative opponents of CEDAW also have expressed concern about the U.S. joining a convention that has been ratified by countries such as Saudi Arabia, where women cannot drive or vote. Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America said the convention is "worse than useless" because it "gives legitimacy to regimes that are committing some of the worst abuses against women." Wright said that she plans to lobby strongly against ratification of the convention, which she called the "Equal Rights Amendment on steroids."

In addition to conservative opponents, some liberals also oppose ratification of CEDAW if adding several RUDs would be required. According to the AP/Tribune, one of the most controversial RUDs likely to be proposed this year stipulates that lawmakers should not interpret the convention as guaranteeing a right to abortion. Janet Benshoof, president of the Global Justice Center, called this RUD the "most deceptive," adding that the provision's language "is touted as neutral or benign, but is not. This language can and has been used as an antiabortion weapon." Yifat Susskind, communications director of the women's rights group MADRE, said that most legislators "don't understand that the treaty could actually do harm" if accompanied by certain provisions. According to Susskind, "The argument you'll hear is that it's better for the U.S. to at least be in the game, even with a weaker CEDAW." She added, "I don't buy that argument … What you're compromising on is so integral that you really would be selling the principles of what you're trying to do." Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, said it would "be an important signal to the world that we adopt this critical convention without limitations that exempt the U.S. from coverage and responsibility for the treatment of women." She added, "It sends a kind of 'ugly American' signal that we expect to hold other countries to a standard that we're not willing to accept for ourselves."

According to the AP/Tribune, many people have different opinions about the extent of CEDAW's international impact, particularly because the committee monitoring treaty compliance cannot enforce its recommendations. However, supporters maintain that the convention has helped improve girls' education, develop domestic violence priorities, and expand property and political rights for women. Although Boxer said her subcommittee this year will start hearings with a "clean" version of CEDAW, aides have indicated that RUDs likely will be added to obtain enough votes. The subcommittee also plans to consider input from President Obama's administration, which supports the treaty. If Boxer's subcommittee votes to ratify the treaty, it would then advance to the larger Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is chaired by Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.). According to committee spokesperson Frederick Jones, Kerry is "extremely supportive of stronger international frameworks for promoting global equality and women's empowerment" (Crary, AP/Chicago Tribune, 3/8).

Women's Rights Advocates Commemorate International Women's Day Worldwide

In related news, women's rights advocates on Sunday commemorated International Women's Day worldwide with rallies to draw attention to the issues women face worldwide, such as equal rights and domestic violence, AFP/Google.com reports.

In Europe, many women spoke out about worsening economic conditions and job insecurity for women. Hlega Schwitzer, leader of Germany's IG Metall union, said "When, in times of crisis, jobs become scarce, women are often the ones who are the first to go." According to Schwitzer, women earn an average 23% less than men. "Women must not be the losers in the crisis," she said. The French government released a book for teenage girls titled "Respect Girls," which provides information about sexual harassment, equal opportunities and stereotypes in advertising.

In Bangalore, India, advocates marked IWD with protests against religious extremists who initiate violent attacks on women. In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, 10,000 women also marched against violence against women and children in times of war. Marie-Ange Lukiana Mufwankolo, DRC family minister, said, "The desires of Congolese women are clear -- stop rape, stop HIV/AIDS, and stop other human rights violations against women and children." Abdel Wahid Mohammed Nur, a rebel leader in Sudan's Darfur region, also called for women to celebrate IWD "by helping Darfur people and Darfur women and girls."

According to Yakin Erturk, a U.N. rapporteur on violence against women, many women in Muslim countries face a "growing crisis" from governments that do not honor commitments to end gender-based inequality and violence. During a conference in Malaysia, Erturk said women must demand that governments fulfill pledges to guarantee equal rights and safety for women. According to Ban Ki-moon, U.N. secretary general, one in five women worldwide has survived rape or attempted rape, and in some countries one in three women have survived an act of violence (O'Connell, AFP/Google.com, 3/8).

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