Treaty for the Rights of Women

The Treaty for the Rights of Women is the world’s most complete international agreement on basic human rights for women.

The Treaty is officially known as the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979. The United States played an important role in drafting the Treaty, and President Jimmy Carter’s administration signed it in 1980.

A total of 185 nations have ratified the Treaty, as of March 2009, demonstrating the powerful principle that human rights of women are universal across all cultures, countries and religions.

The United States is now one of only eight countries not on that list, alongside Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga.

This Treaty is highly popular within the United States. More than 200 leading organizations representing millions of people support U.S. ratification. The groups include the AARP, Amnesty International and the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women USA, B’nai B’rith International and the American Bar Association.

The Treaty for the Rights of Women addresses basic human rights of women. It can be a useful tool to reduce violence and discrimination against women and girls, to ensure that girls and women receive the same access as boys and men to education and health care, and secure basic legal recourse to women and girls against violations and abuses of their human rights.

Women around the world have used the Treaty to achieve important reforms that reduce violence and discrimination in their countries.

In order for the United States to ratify an international treaty, two-thirds of the Senate must consent — that is, 67 "yes" votes. No action by the House of Representatives is required for ratification of international treaties.

*The Reservations state that the United States is not obligated to any of the following: "Assigning" women to all units of military service (although women are free to participate in any); mandating paid maternity leave (article 11-2-b); legislating equality in the private sector (articles 2, 3, 5); and ensuring comparable worth (equal pay for work of equal value). The Understandings say that state and federal implementations will be made according to the appropriate jurisdiction; that no restrictions will be made to the freedom of speech, expression, or association under the Convention (articles 5, 7, 8, 13); and that any free health services to benefit women will be determined by states and not automatically mandated by U.S. ratification (article 12). Declarations made are that the convention is "non self-executing" and that disputes about interpretation of the Convention will be handled case by case (articles 29-2, 29-1).


			History of the Treaty for the Rights of Women Jump to Summary U.S. Support Provisions of the Treaty The Treaty in Action Next steps Chronology: The Road to Ratification Summary The Treaty for the Rights of Women is the world’s most complete international agreement on basic human rights for women. The Treaty is officially known as the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). It was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979. The United States played an important role in drafting the Treaty, and President Jimmy Carter’s administration signed it in 1980. A total of 185 nations have ratified the Treaty, as of March 2009, demonstrating the powerful principle that human rights of women are universal across all cultures, countries and religions. The United States is now one of only eight countries not on that list, alongside Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga. U.S. Support This Treaty is highly popular within the United States. More than 200 leading organizations representing millions of people support U.S. ratification. The groups include the AARP, Amnesty International and the American Association of University Women, Business and Professional Women USA, B’nai B’rith International and the American Bar Association. Provisions of the Treaty The Treaty for the Rights of Women addresses basic human rights of women. It can be a useful tool to reduce violence and discrimination against women and girls, to ensure that girls and women receive the same access as boys and men to education and health care, and secure basic legal recourse to women and girls against violations and abuses of their human rights. The Treaty in Action Women around the world have used the Treaty to achieve important reforms that reduce violence and discrimination in their countries. Measures have been taken against sex slavery, domestic violence and trafficking of women. Millions of girls are now receiving primary education who were previously denied access. Women's health services have improved, saving lives during pregnancy and childbirth. Women have secured the right to own or inherit property. Next steps In order for the United States to ratify an international treaty, two-thirds of the Senate must consent — that is, 67 "yes" votes. No action by the House of Representatives is required for ratification of international treaties. Chronology: The Road to Ratification. December 18, 1979: The United Nations approves the Treaty for the Rights of Women (officially titled the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women – or CEDAW). July 17, 1980: The Jimmy Carter administration signs the Treaty. 1980-1990: Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush prioritized ratification of other treaties, including the U.N. Conventions on Genocide and on Civil and Political Rights. 1990: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a hearing on CEDAW. 1991: State legislatures in Iowa and Massachusetts become the first to pass resolutions supporting CEDAW. 1992: President Bill Clinton calls upon the U.S. Senate to ratify CEDAW as well as the UN Conventions against torture and racial discrimination. 1992: Legislatures in Illinois and California (twice) pass resolutions supporting CEDAW. 1993: In a letter to President Clinton, 68 senators request action on CEDAW ratification. 1993: The South Dakota House and the New York legislature pass resolutions supporting CEDAW ratification. 1993: The United States pledges at the UN World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, Austria, to seek ratification of CEDAW, among other treaties. Early 1994: President Clinton recommends CEDAW be ratified with four Reservations, three Understandings and two Declarations.* September 1994: On a bipartisan vote of 13-5, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee recommends CEDAW passage to the full Senate. But several senators put a hold on it for the duration of the 93rd Congress. August 1995: At the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, the United States makes CEDAW ratification a commitment to be achieved by 2000. 1996: The Florida legislature approves a resolution supporting CEDAW. Counties and cities begin to pass supporting resolutions: Dade County FL, Santa Cruz County CA, Iowa City IA, Fayette/Lexington County KY, and Jefferson County KY. 1997: The New Hampshire legislature approves a resolution supporting CEDAW, as do Pittsburgh PA, Evanston IL, Montpelier VT and Burlington VT. 1998: Legislatures in Hawaii and Guam support CEDAW, as do Philadelphia PA, San Diego CA, and San Francisco County CA. San Francisco also becomes the first city to pass a CEDAW implementing ordinance. 1999: The North Carolina House of Representatives, the Wisconsin Senate and the Maine legislature pass supporting resolutions, as do Cuyahoga County OH, Dane County WI, San Mateo County CA and Santa Clara County CA; and Berea OH, Chicago IL, Cleveland Heights OH, Fond du Lac WI, Highland Park IL, Madison WI, Middleburg Heights OH, Portland ME, Redlands CA, San Jose CA, and Strongville OH. March 16, 1999: The CEDAW Committee approves an optional protocol that allows women to appeal rulings on their complaints of treaty violations directly to the United Nations. 1999: Ten senators call for new hearings on CEDAW ratification but are rebuffed by Sen. Jesse helms (R-NC), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. May 2000: The House International Relations Committee holds an informational hearing on the Treaty for the Rights of Women: 168 nations have ratified it and 62 have ratified the optional protocol on appeals. 2000: Resolutions supporting CEDAW pass in Cook County IL, Spokane County WA and Ventura County CA, as well as in Mayfield Heights OH, Auburn CA, Spokane WA, San Bernardino CA and Los Angeles CA. 2002: The Bush administration, in a letter to Senate Foreign Relations Committee, says CEDAW is “generally desirable and should be ratified.” July 2002: After hearings called by new chairman Sen. Joseph Biden (D-DE), the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approves the Treaty on a bipartisan vote of 12-7. 2002: Resolutions supporting CEDAW are passed in Monterey CA and Sonoma County CA. 2003: The Treaty stalls under new Senate and White House leaders. 2005: Supporting resolutions pass in Alachua County FL, Gainesville FL, Berkeley CA and Washington DC. 2007: A total of 185 nations have ratified the Treaty for the Rights of Women. 2008: The Colorado legislature approves a resolution supporting CEDAW. 2008: Presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Joseph Biden express strong support for ratification of the Treaty. January 2009: Upon taking office, President Obama moves to strengthen White House support for women worldwide and names the Treaty for the Rights of Women as one of three treaties—and the only human rights treaty—for top ratification priority. March 2009: Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) announces plans to hold Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on ratification of the Treaty. *The Reservations state that the United States is not obligated to any of the following: "Assigning" women to all units of military service (although women are free to participate in any); mandating paid maternity leave (article 11-2-b); legislating equality in the private sector (articles 2, 3, 5); and ensuring comparable worth (equal pay for work of equal value). The Understandings say that state and federal implementations will be made according to the appropriate jurisdiction; that no restrictions will be made to the freedom of speech, expression, or association under the Convention (articles 5, 7, 8, 13); and that any free health services to benefit women will be determined by states and not automatically mandated by U.S. ratification (article 12). Declarations made are that the convention is "non self-executing" and that disputes about interpretation of the Convention will be handled case by case (articles 29-2, 29-1).