Archived News:

Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights discussed the need for U.S. ratification of CEDAW during the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. Read his statement here.

Former First Lady Laura Bush champions the cause of ending violence against women in Afghanistan in “Afghanistan must embrace women’s rights,” an op-ed in the Washington Post. Read the op-ed here.

A United Nations official says "more than one-third of the world's female population has suffered domestic abuse." Read more...

Tamara Kreinin, Executive Director of Women and Population for the United Nations Foundation discusses CEDAW as part of a global strategy for women and girls. "There are two things happening in Congress right now that are important. One is the International Violence Against Women Act  that could make enormous strides for women and girls globally.... And then CEDAW  [Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women], which is an international UN treaty on discrimination against women, is also about to be up before Congress. Interestingly enough, the U.S. is one of the few countries who have not ratified CEDAW; it's really almost an embarrassment."  Read the complete interview.

August 26, 2010 was the 90th Anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote in America. Many celebrated this day with op-ed pieces and blogs.

Here are a few examples:

  • Michael Hummel, Professor of History at Victoria College, calls on Senate to Ratify CEDAW in the Victoria Advocate. Read op-ed here.
  • 90th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage - the Right Time to Ratify CEDAW, states Emily Martin, Vice President and General Counsel, National Women's Law Center, in the American Constitution Society. Read full text here.
  • "From Suffrage to CEDAW" - the National Association of Social Workers calls for ratification of CEDAW today. Full statement here.
  • A Vote for Women, A Vote for CEDAW" a blog on the 90th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment by the American Civil Liberties Union. Read the blog…
  • "Preparation of New Zealand’s Report on the Status of Women is Well Underway," says Pansy Wong, Women’s Affairs Minister. Read article here.
  • "From Suffrage to CEDAW" - Human Rights Watch celebrates Women's Equality Day. Read blog here.
  • Pennsylvania NOW Celebrate Woman's Equality Day, Call for Ratification of CEDAW. Full statement here.

Mary McLeod, United States Legal Counselor, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, statement before the Security Council: "Our commitment to the rule of law is also reflected in our strong support for ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and our signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—the first new human rights convention of the 21st century.” Read complete statement.

U.S. State Department releases 2010 Trafficking in Persons. -- Read report findings here.

Sociologists for Women in Society adopt strong platform in support of CEDAW -- Read statement here.

Read The Guardian editorial on the United Nations move to establish a single body to promote "gender equality" -- Read editorial here.

Susana Mendes, the first female editor in chief of Angolense, Angola's leading investigative weekly, speaks about Mary McLeod, United States Legal Counselor, U.S. Mission to the United Nations, statement before the Security Council: "Our commitment to the rule of law is also reflected in our strong support for ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and our signing of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—the first new human rights convention of the 21st century.” Read complete statement.in Angola during an interview with Women's e-News.

Read Diana Saverin’s blog post on "CEDAW: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back." Read a statement by The Leadership Conference mourning the loss of Dr. Dorothy I. Height, a civil rights legend and honorary co-chair of the campaign to ratify CEDAW.

Melanne Verveer, Ambassador for Global Women's Issues, at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (Full Remarks). To read the transcript, visit the United States Mission to the United Nations.

Read Ambassador Susan E. Rice’s statement commemorating the 30th anniversary of CEDAW.

Read op-eds by Linda Tarr-Whelan, former Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and author of Women Lead the Way: