Norton Reintroduces Resolution Calling on Senate to Ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the start of Women’s History Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution calling on the Senate to ratify the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Convention establishes an agenda for national action to end discrimination against women and ensure the advancement of women in political, social, economic and cultural fields through legislative action and legal protections. It was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979 and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 but has never been brought before the full Senate for a vote.

Currently, 189 U.N. member states have ratified the Convention. The United States joins Iran, Palau, Somalia, Sudan and Tonga as the only members of the United Nations who have yet to ratify the Convention. 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. D.C. enacted the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Act in accordance with the principles of the Convention.

“As the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I understand firsthand the profound impact ratifying the Convention would have,” Norton said. “During my tenure, I issued the first federal guidelines recognizing sexual harassment as a violation of equal employment laws. Ratification would strengthen the legal foundation for combating gender discrimination in our courts and demonstrate to the world that the United States is fully committed to ending gender discrimination.

“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to finally ratify this important Convention. It is long overdue.”

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) are original cosponsors of the resolution. 

###