Currently, the United States is one of only seven U.N. member countries to not sign the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Adopted in 1979 by the U.N. General Assembly, the convention is considered an international bill of rights for women and defines what constitutes discrimination against women.
The United States is in the company of countries such as Iran, Sudan and Somalia in not signing on to help ensure that women are adequately protected against various forms of discrimination.
Since women won the right to vote 91 years ago, great strides have been made to close the inequality gap between the genders. But work still needs to be done to ensure that no woman is treated unfairly simply because of her gender.
Young women in America deserve to live in a country that values their contributions to society and is willing to support them in their times of need.
Members of the League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank urge you to stand together with us in support of women’s rights. Contact Sens. Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein today and tell them to vote to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women.
Joan Hardie,
Glendale
Editor’s note: Hardie is president of the League of Women Voters Glendale/Burbank.
