1. CEDAW intrudes in domestic policy. This violates the U.N. Charter.
"Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter." ~ Chapter 1, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter
"To embody the principle of the equality of men and women in their national constitutions or other appropriate legislation ... and to ensure, through law and other appropriate means, the practical realization of this principle." ~ Article 2 of CEDAW
2. CEDAW intrudes in private associations, relationships and culture.
"States Parties shall take all appropriate measures: (a) To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices … based …on stereotyped roles for men and women;" ~ Article 5 of CEDAW
3. CEDAW Committee recommendations contradict existing U.S. laws.
- Requires countries to enact quotas for elected positions and private businesses.
"What are you doing to help women get elected to office? Subsidies? ... Is there a system of punishments for those who don't meet quotas? ... There should be no regression (in number of women in public office, as there was a slight decrease). ~ Francoise Gaspard, Vice-Chairman [France] - 37th Session
- Tells nations to decriminalize prostitution.
"The Committee is concerned that prostitution, which is often a result of poverty and economic deprivation, is illegal in China. The Committee recommends decriminalization of prostitution." ~ 25th Session
- Demands federal funding for abortion."[The Committee] strongly recommends that the [Croatian] Government take steps to secure the enjoyment by women of their reproductive rights by, inter alia, guaranteeing them access to abortion services in public hospitals." - 18th Session
- Insists that courts recognize the Convention as superior to Constitutions:
"Since the Convention actually overrides the Constitution, have there been any efforts to incorporate the Convention provisions (into law)?" Hanna Beate Schöpp-Schilling, Vice-Chairman [Germany] - 34th Session
4. CEDAW would be more harmful to women than beneficial
American traditions and system of meritocracy would contradict CEDAW's premise that there must be no distinction between men and women.
- Mother's Day was criticized for encouraging stereotypes of women. Belarus - 22nd Session
- Encourages quotas that demand 50% of employment and elected positions be given to women, whether or not women want or are qualified for those positions.
