Citizens for Global Solutions CEO Don Kraus was quoted today in a story by Inter-Press Service on the U.S. being one of 7 countries that have still not ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women treaty.  Kraus noted CEDAW provides

"a blueprint for increasing gender equality and reinforces our role as a global leader in standing up for the rights of women and girls. In countries that have ratified CEDAW, women have partnered with their governments to engage in a national dialogue about the status of women and girls, and as a result have shaped policies to create greater safety and opportunities for women and their families."

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There was standing room only as Senators, congressional staff, non-profit organizations, and concerned citizens came to show their support for women’s rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) at a hearing held on women and the Arab Spring.  The hearing, presided over by Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Bob Casey (D-PA), focused on how women have played major roles in the Arab Spring, specifically in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya.  In these countries experiencing major transitions in government, the future of increasing gender equality is still uncertain, and requires help from the U.S. to continue to spread democracy and promote social change.  Senator Boxer put it best when she said,

“Nations cannot achieve democracy and standing peace unless women achieve equal standing.”

Last week I spoke to members of the United Nations Association (UNA-USA) who were preparing to lobby their members of Congress.  I was asked to give a 30,000 foot overview of the political climate on the Hill regarding the UN, an update on the U.S. role at the Human Rights Council and the status of ratification of the Law of the Sea convention, CEDAW and the Rights of the Child treaty.  Take a look at the presentation and let me know if you have any questions.

For the first time in eight years, the Senate conducted a hearing about U.S. ratification of CEDAW. The hearing was held in the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Over 200 activists attended the hearing and more than 100 organizations submitted statements about the treaty for the record.

Hearing witnesses included Wazhma Frogh of the Afghan Women's Network, actor Geena Davis, Marsha Greenberger of the National Women's Law Center, and Stephen Groves from the Heritage Foundation.

Frogh described why U.S. ratification is so important, "Failure to ratify CEDAW is of huge international significance. In Afghanistan, conservative elements try to use America's failure to ratify CEDAW to attack women's rights defenders. They say that if United States believes in women's rights as a universal right, why haven't they signed on to CEDAW? Today, we don't have an answer. Perhaps tomorrow, with your help, we can answer back."