Pres. Obama: Women and Girls Are Counting on You

President Obama has repeatedly declared his support for women worldwide and announced that ratification of the CEDAW treaty (Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) is an important priority. The time has come for President Obama to send a strong signal to the Senate that ratification of CEDAW is vital.

We are within striking distance of CEDAW ratification, but the political window of opportunity is closing fast. We cannot allow the United States to continue to be one of only seven countries in the world that has not ratified CEDAW.

We know that CEDAW makes a difference in helping women and girls achieve basic rights- the right to live free from violence, to go to school, and to access the political system. Several countries, including Australia, Brazil, Morocco, South Africa, and Uganda have incorporated provisions from the CEDAW treaty into their constitutions and domestic legal codes. Additionally, Egypt, Jordan, Nicaragua, and Pakistan have all seen significant increases in literacy rates after improving access to education for girls and women. Send the letter below to tell President Obama that the women and girls of the world can’t wait any longer – we need CEDAW now!

Thank you,
The Leadership Conference Team

Subject:

Dear President Obama,

(Edit Letter Below)

I urge your active leadership for the U.S. ratification -this year - of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  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 by ratifying CEDAW.

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 CEDAW has improved the quality of life for women in other countries that have ratified the treaty. For example, literacy rates in Nicaragua, Jordan, Pakistan, 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 of 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 you understand the importance of CEDAW as a powerful tool for making gender equality a reality.  Please urge the Senate to demonstrate strong bipartisan leadership and to make ratification of the CEDAW treaty a top priority for this year.  Women and girls here and around the world deserve nothing less.

Thank you,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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