Thank you for being in touch with me with your thoughts on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Treaty.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is an international bill of rights for women. It is based on the premise that in many parts of the world, women have not enjoyed, to the same extent as men, the basic rights and protections outlined in international human rights agreements and conventions. CEDAW brings together, in a single comprehensive human rights treaty, the provisions of previous United Nations' instruments concerning discrimination on the basis of sex, and extends them to create a tool dedicated to the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
The Convention requires States Parties to eliminate discrimination against women in the areas of civil, political, economic, and cultural rights. It also establishes measures for States to pursue to achieve equal protection for women and men of their human rights. States are obliged to work for equality in public life, for example, in the realm of legal status and political participation, and also in private life and customs. For example, in pursuing CEDAW's goals, States Parties are encouraged to introduce measures to prevent the unhealthy practice of genital mutilation.
The Convention was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in December 1979. Ratification was rapid, and Treaty came into force on September 3, 1981. As I am sure you are aware, today 169 countries - more than two-thirds of the members of the United Nations - are party to the Convention. The Carter Administration signed it in July 1980, and it has been waiting for Senate approval since that time.
CEDAW's goals are very ambitious, and it will certainly take a great deal of time, patience, and focus to achieve them. Some critics oppose the notion of an international convention to guarantee women's rights around the world. I support the concept of trying to ensure that women around the world receive basic rights similar to those guaranteed to every American under our own Bill of Rights. For many years, American missionaries, religious organizations, and other Americans have worked hard to promote the rights and protections that American citizens enjoy. I hope the deliberations on CEDAW will provide an opportunity to review whether this Treaty can serve the same purpose.
Because of some of the questions and misconceptions about CEDAW, I think it is important to share what the Treaty is not about. This Treaty is not designed to push for radical changes. It addresses the importance of equality for women throughout the world - whether they are in traditional families or working to provide for their families on their own. I believe that it is critical for the United States to be supportive of women's equality around the world. CEDAW does not impose a radical or even specific agenda, but instead encourages all countries to promote higher standards of treatment and protection for women. It does not promote "same-sex marriages," which at any rate are prohibited in the United States by the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
I appreciate hearing from you, and I want to be very sensitive to your concerns and interests when CDAW is deliberated in the Senate. In light of the many different views and perspectives that exist in West Virginia and around the world towards issues like this, I hope we can continue finding common, constructive ways to strengthen the lives of women around the world, and particularly in countries where women do not enjoy the most basic of human rights. Again, thank you so much for sharing your views.
Sincerely,
John D. Rockefeller IV
How dare Rockef***er use "The Bill of Rights" and "the U.N." in the same letter!!
We really need to ambush Powell.