The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Congressional Issues Page: 2 of 15
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The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW):
Congressional Issues
Summary
The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women calls for Parties to eliminate discrimination against women in all
areas of life, including healthcare, education, employment, domestic relations, law,
commercial transactions, and political participation. As of December 2007, the
Convention was ratified or acceded to by 185 countries.
President Jimmy Carter submitted the Convention to the Senate in 1980. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee held hearings on the Convention in 1988, 1990,
1994, and 2002, but the treaty was never considered for ratification by the full
Senate. The George W. Bush Administration began conducting a full legal and
policy review of the Convention in 2002. On February 7, 2007, the Administration
transmitted a letter to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee stating that it does not
support Senate action on the treaty at this time.
U.S. ratification of CEDAW is a contentious policy issue that has generated
considerable debate in Congress and among the general public. Supporters of U.S.
ratification contend that the Convention is a valuable mechanism for fighting
women's discrimination worldwide. They argue that U.S. ratification of the treaty
will give the Convention additional legitimacy, and that it will further empower
women who fight discrimination in other countries. Opponents of ratification
contend that the Convention is not the best or most efficient way to eliminate
discrimination against women. They believe ratification will undermine U.S.
sovereignty and impact U.S. social policy related to family planning and abortion.
This report provides background on CEDAW developments, including U.S.
policy and congressional actions, and considers arguments for and against
ratification. It will be updated as events warrant.
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Blanchfield, Luisa. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): Congressional Issues, report, January 4, 2008; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc805097/m1/2/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.