Background

CEDAW is a UN treaty that was signed by President Carter in 1979 and was submitted to the Senate in 1980.

Contrary to the UN Charter which prohibits the UN from intervening in domestic issues, CEDAW coerces countries to change a vast array of laws, such as its labor laws.  This invites the UN to interfere with our families, schools and marriage.  It threatens freedom of association by impacting religious institutions, social groups and political representation.

Application

Member countries submit themselves to the CEDAW Committee which consists of 23 “experts” on women’s rights who serve a four-year term and are “elected” by secret ballot at the meeting of State Parties to the Convention. 

Countries that ratify CEDAW must submit a report to the Committee every four years.  The Committee then directs the country on how it should comply with the treaty.

Outrageous Rulings by CEDAW Committee

·        It told China to decriminalize prostitution.

·        It criticized Mexico for a lack of access to easy and swift abortion.

·        It criticized Ireland for the Catholic Church’s influence of attitudes and state policy.

·        It reprimanded Belarus for celebrating Mothers Day.

·        It reprimanded Netherlands for not increasing the number of women in government, academic, private and business sectors.

·        It pressed Colombia to liberalize its abortion laws and to create contraceptive, sexual and reproductive health awareness campaigns.

Impact

CEDAW impacts our national sovereignty and intrudes on our ability to determine our laws and culture.  It may adversely affect our national security because of its possible reach into our military structure. 

CEDAW could be used to invalidate Defense Department regulations regarding women. 

CEDAW could essentially hand over our right to decide the most controversial issues Americans face such as family law, parental rights, religious exercise, education, abortion regulation and quotas to an unaccountable UN Committee.