Twenty-Second Anniversary of CEDAW

This week marks the 22nd anniversary of the United Nations’ adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the first treaty to comprehensively address women's rights within political, cultural, economic, social, and family life. This convention, which guarantees women equal rights to work, pay, benefits and safe working conditions free from sexual harassment, also prohibits discrimination against women in political activities and requires a minimum age for marriage. Since the treaty was passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 18, 1979, it has been ratified by 168 nations. Of the small number of countries that have not ratified CEDAW, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, and the Sudan, the United States remains the only industrialized democracy in the world that has not signed onto the treaty.

TAKE ACTION: Urge the U.S. Government to Ratify CEDAW.

Media Resources: US Newswire, 12/18/01; Feminist Majority Foundation

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