IL HR0021

Illinois House of Representatives urges the U.S. Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979.

CEDAW defines discrimination against women and establishes an agenda for national action to end such discrimination through legal reforms, tribunals, and enforcement mechanisms.

Only 7 of 193 UN member countries have not ratified CEDAW: Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and the United States.

Ratification would require 67 U.S. Senate votes and would not automatically change U.S. law or impose additional costs, but would strengthen America's voice on women's human rights globally.

Copies of the resolution are to be presented to President Barack Obama and members of the Illinois Congressional delegation.