Rep Bowan and 17 members of Congress Urge Biden to Prioritize CEDAW

NEWS: Reps. Bowman & Norton Lead 17-Member Letter Urging Biden Administration to Prioritize Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

WASHINGTON, D.C  — Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (NY-16) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), along with 15 of their colleagues, wrote a letter to President Biden urging him to pursue bipartisan negotiations in the Senate for ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Convention protects all women’s political, economic, social, cultural, and civil rights as well as their fundamental freedoms.

“The Convention is essential now more than ever because, despite the strides we have made, women and girls have yet to experience full equality in the United States and abroad,” wrote the lawmakers. “By ratifying CEDAW, the United States would accept its governmental obligation to ensure that all women, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender identity, national origin, socioeconomic, or familial status, can live their lives free from discrimination.”

As of 2023, 189 countries have ratified the Convention. The United States is an outlier, joining only Iran, Palau, Somalia, Sudan and Tongo in not ratifying the treaty. In light of the Senate’s inaction, dozens of U.S. cities, counties and states have passed resolutions in support of the Convention’s ratification. Most recently, the District of Columbia enacted the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Act in accordance with the principles of the Convention. As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, President Biden recommended CEDAW for a vote and is now uniquely situated to assist these negotiations with the Senate.

Read the full letter here.