Discord likely over ratifying women's ri

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Registered: 03-23-2003
Discord likely over ratifying women's ri
1
Sat, 03-07-2009 - 3:33pm
Discord likely over ratifying women's rights pact
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110ap_womens_rights_treaty.html

By DAVID CRARY
AP NATIONAL WRITER


NEW YORK -- A global women's rights treaty completed 30 years ago has a better-than-ever chance for U.S. Senate ratification this year, yet the hunt for the needed 67 favorable votes is likely to incur the wrath of activists on both the left and right.


Known as CEDAW (SEE-daw), the treaty's formal name is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.


Since its adoption by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979, all but eight of the 192 U.N. members have become a party to it - the United States is one of the holdouts, along with Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga.



From the right, U.S. opponents of CEDAW contend that ratification could lead to legalized prostitution, increased government interference in family matters, and abolition of remaining restrictions on abortion. They also question the value of joining a treaty that has been ratified by countries such as Saudi Arabia, where women cannot vote or drive.



On the left, there is growing apprehension that Democratic leaders in the Senate, who need Republican votes to get the treaty ratified, will be willing to add various reservations, understandings and declarations - known as RUDs - that some activists feel would be harmful.


"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," said Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women. "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."



In 1994 and 2002, when the treaty came before the Senate but failed to win ratification, a total of 11 RUDs were added. Among them were stipulations that CEDAW could not compel U.S. women to serve in military combat units, could not be used to interfere with private conduct, and could not force the United States to provide paid maternity leave.


One of the most contentious RUDs - likely to be revived this year - stipulates that nothing in CEDAW should be interpreted as creating a right to abortion.



Nonetheless, CEDAW supporters say the treaty has been valuable in numerous countries in expanding property rights and political rights, developing domestic violence policies, and improving education for girls.


The treaty does not require legalization of prostitution, although the monitoring committee has recommended decriminalization in some countries so that women who are victims of sexual slavery and trafficking won't be deterred from seeking help from authorities.



On the Net:


U.N. treaty: http://un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/


Treaty opponents: http://tinyurl.com/aknv77


Treaty supporters: http://www.womenstreaty.org/


 


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The WeatherPixieSweet Alice

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2000
Mon, 03-09-2009 - 9:40am

>"Opinions are sharply divided over the tangible impact that CEDAW has had internationally, in part because the committee that monitors treaty compliance cannot enforce its recommendations."<


Hmmm.


This is informative....


http://www.womenstreaty.org/facts_home.htm


 


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