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Action Alert: Women's Rights are Human Rights!



This action alert campaign has closed.


Women's Rights are Human Rights!

You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the directions at the bottom.

Issue

Prioritize the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Background

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a landmark international agreement that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. It offers countries a practical blueprint to promote basic rights and to open opportunities for women and girls in all areas of society.

However, the United States continues to be one of only 7 countries in the world that has not ratified CEDAW. As women and men who believe in the basic rights of women and girls worldwide the right to live free from violence, the ability to go to school, and access to the political system we need President Obama to send a strong and urgent signal to the Senate that ratification of CEDAW this year is vital.

We are within striking distance of CEDAW ratification, but the window of opportunity is rapidly closing. We need President Obama to show leadership in advancing women and girls' rights by supporting CEDAW now.

Message To Be Sent To
Your message will be sent to each of the following targets:

 President Barak Obama
Message
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Support CEDAW


Dear President Obama,

As a constituent who cares about the rights of women and girls around the world, I urge you to make U.S. ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) a priority. When you created the White House Council on Women and Girls, you emphasized how important it is for us "to ensure that our daughters and granddaughters have no limits on their dreams, no obstacles to their achievements and that they have opportunities their mothers and grandmothers and great grandmothers never dreamed of." Now is the time for the United States to redouble its efforts by supporting mothers and granddaughters around the world and accomplish this worthy vision. Now is the time for the United States to ratify CEDAW, and we need your leadership to do it.

Ratification of the treaty will increase our country's influence as an advocate for women and strengthen global efforts to advance human rights around the world. We know that CEDAW has improved the quality of life for women in other countries. For example: literacy rates in Nicaragua, Jordan, and Egypt increased after improving access to education for girls and women. Several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, and Uganda have incorporated provisions in the CEDAW treaty into their constitutions and domestic legal codes. In addition, Colombia, Japan, and Turkey criminalized domestic violence and now require legal protection for survivors.

We know that you understand the importance of CEDAW as a powerful tool for making gender equality a reality. Please urge the Senate to demonstrate strong bi-partisan leadership and to make ratification of the CEDAW Treaty this year a top priority. Women and girls here and around the world will thank you.


Sincerely,

Your name and address here

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