Support Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW)
- How Can Women in the United States Benefit from the Treaty
- The Treaty for the Rights of Women has had a major impact for women around the world, but how would it change women’s lives in the United States? The following are some of the areas that the treaty addresses which could benefit women in this country.
ENDING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
The Problem:
Discrimination is a root cause of violence and of the denial of many rights.
Once an
unequal relationship is established, it becomes easier to abuse the perceived
subordinate. Nearly 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse during adulthood.
More than 1 in 3 American Indian and Alaska Native women will be raped and
6 of 10 physically assaulted. We need initiatives and policies to help prevent
violence against women in the home and at the workplace.
The Potential Solution:
The Treaty Article 2 of the Treaty outlines the “principle of equality”
and the “practical realization of this principle.” It also
seeks to “establish legal protection of the rights of women”
to ensure “effective protection of women against any act of discrimination.
Everyone benefits when productive, stable societies ensure everyone achieves
their full potential. The Treaty could be used to call for better legislation,
policies and funding to prevent discrimination, support women’s
ability to participate fully in all aspects of society, and assist victims
and survivors of violence.
INCREASING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN
The Problem:
Efforts to end discrimination against women in the U.S. are often dependent
on the priorities of the administration in office. The current administration
has focused largely on women internationally, while some longstanding domestic
policies have come under threat.
The Potential Solution:
The treaty holds governments accountable to report their efforts to end
discrimination
against women and improve conditions to ensure fulfillment of all human
rights for all women and girls. The reporting process provides a timeline
for the government to make improvements in policies and an opportunity
for citizens and groups to evaluate the progress on commitments made by
their government.
STOPPING TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
The Problem:
Between 45,000 and 50,000 women and children are trafficked into the U.S.
annually.
In 2003 and 2004, the U.S. government estimates 14,500 to 17,500 people
were trafficked into the U.S. for the purpose of sexual exploitation. The
government has yet to recognize the need to address the underlying cultural
conditions in which the sex trade is rooted.
The Potential Solution:
The Treaty Article 6 of the Treaty calls for appropriate measures, including
legislation, to suppress all forms of trafficking of women. The Treaty
could be used to call for better legislation, policies and funding for
services that benefit victims and survivors of trafficking.
ENDING DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
The Problem:
Women earned 76.5 % as much as men in 2004. In addition, the burden of balancing
work and family obligations typically rests with women. The U.S. provides
no public funding or tax incentives for early childcare, few resources for
after-school and summer school programs and mandates no paid leave or flexible
work arrangements. The current administration has cut funding for a number
of programs to advance opportunities for women.
The Potential Solution:
The Treaty Article 11 mandates equality in employment opportunities and
remuneration, and encourages the necessary social services, particularly
childcare, to help parents combine family and work obligations. The Treaty
could be used to call for the renewal and expansion of programs such as
the Family Medical Leave Act, which provides at least three months of
unpaid absence for pregnancy and
emergency family obligations. The Treaty could also be used to seek the
protection of government jobs that provide women opportunities for advancement.
ENDING DISCRIMINATION IN EDUCATION
The Problem:
Gender inequity in basic education is a great concern. Around the world,
two-thirds of the estimated 104 million children who are not enrolled in
primary school are girls. In the U.S., the current administration called
for the Department of Education to scrutinize the longstanding, successful
policies of Title 9. Title 9 requires federally funded education programs
to guarantee equal access and funding levels for the education for women
and girls.
The Potential Solution:
The Treaty Article 10 ensures equal access to all forms of education and
suggests adapting teaching methods that would end stereotyping. Many countries
that have ratified the Treaty have seen significant increases in literacy
rates for girls. The Treaty could be used to promote funding for girls
education globally, and in the United States to press for the provisions
of Title 9 to be extended and permanently guaranteed.
ENDING DISCRIMINATION OF WOMEN IN POLITICAL AND PUBLIC LIFE
The Problem:
In the U.S., women occupy only 15% of seats in the House of Representatives
and 14% in the Senate, whereas the world average is 16% representation in
Parliament. No woman has occupied the Presidency. The Treaty Article 7 calls
for equal voting rights, eligibility to all offices, and the right to participate
in the formulation of public policy. The
Potential Solution:
Article 8 requires measures to allow women equal terms with men in representing
their government at the international level. Currently, affirmative action
laws in the
U.S. do not apply to Congress or any executive agency. The Treaty could
be used to cite the need to promote women candidates and facilitate their
full participation in political and public life.
ENDING DISCRIMINATION IN HEALTH CARE AND FAMILY PLANNING
The Problem:
1 in 25 women in the U.S. will die in their lifetime due to pregnancy related
causes. The U.S. has an average of 47 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to
19. Policies of the current administration have undermined family planning
and reproductive rights, though the labor force depends on the planning
and spacing of childbirth. The current administration has prioritized allocation
of resources to programs encouraging
abstinence, which fall short in addressing important health issues such
as HIV/AIDS.
The Potential Solution:
Treaty Article 12 requires equal access to health care, including family
planning and free services, when necessary, in connection with pregnancy.
Article 16 emphasizes equal rights in marriage and family relations, including
the right to decide the number and spacing of children. The Treaty does
not seek to regulate family life. The Treaty could be cited to support
and expand under-funded programs such as Title 10, which provides birth
control for working women just above the poverty line.
