Issue Background
The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women is an international treaty drafted by the U.N. and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980.

The 107th Congressional Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing on June 13, 2002 to address whether the United States should ratify this controversial UN women's rights convention. On July 30, 2002 the Senate Foreign Relations committee passed CEDAW 12-7. The US Constitution requires a 2/3 majority of the US Senate for ratification of a treaty. The full Senate has yet to ratify CEDAW.

Issue Description
The U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) attempts to break down natural jurisdictional distinctions between the individual, the family, and the state. The treaty is laced with questionable policy objectives. American freedoms should not hinge on the interpretations of legal technicalities found in reservations attached to the treaty and subject to U.N. approval.

HSLDA has actively worked to oppose CEDAW since 1999. Additional information on the status of this dangerous treaty will be posted as it becomes available. See the following memos and resources for additional background and detailed information.