National Week of Action on Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW)!!!!

This week, activists across the nation are urging the Senate to support ratification of the Treaty for the Rights of Women -- officially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women or CEDAW.

The United States played an important role in drafting this treaty, which is the most complete international agreement for basic human rights of women. 185 countries have ratified it. Yet the U.S. remains one of the 8 countries that have not done so—along with Sudan, Somalia, Qatar, Iran, Nauru, Palau and Tonga. Until our government ratifies CEDAW, it credibly demand that others live up to their obligations under the Treaty.

Please call the offices of Senator Lautenberg (202-224-3224) and Senator Menendez (202- 224-4744) to urge them to help move this important treaty toward ratification!

Please begin by thanking both Senators for supporting S Res 178 on gender-based violence in Guatemala, as well as their support for women and other civilian victims in Darfur!

Please then urge both Senators to support efforts to finally ratify the Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW). Here are some specific actions to suggest:

· Insert a statement in support of CEDAW in the Congressional Record.
· Send a short letter to Senators Joseph Biden (D-DE) and Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, encouraging hearings and a vote in Committee on the Treaty.
· Make a brief statement on the Senate floor in support of CEDAW ratification.
· Write to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), asking them to make the Treaty a priority and help build support for Senate ratification.

You may also wish to mention that the following NJ Congressmen have cosponsored H Res 101, a resolution calling for the Senate to ratify the Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW):

· Representative Rush Holt
· Representative Frank Pallone
· Representative Bill Pascrell
· Representative Donald Payne
· Representative Steve Rothman
· Representative Albio Sires