Thread by @jdakwar

United States is one of 6 nations that have not yet ratified the international women's rights treaty (#CEDAW). The other countries are Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Palau and Tonga. #InternationalWomensDay

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a landmark international treaty that affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women. President Carter signed it in 1980 but has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate.

While U.S. record on women's rights is certainly not the worst and far better than many countries that ratified the treaty, it is undeniable that we fall behind in many areas and there is much more to do to achieve gender equality.

For example, according to @OECD data from 2017, male median earnings are more than 18% higher than those of
women in the United States. data.oecd.org/chart/5uCIrati…

Wage gap is even worse for women of color. For example, Black women in the U.S. are typically paid 61 cents for every dollar paid to white men. aauw.org/?p=69013

CEDAW offers countries a practical blueprint to promote basic rights and open opportunities for women and girls in all areas of society. U.S. ratification of (without impermissible and unnecessary reservations) would be a catalyst for much needed change in law and policy.

CEDAW ratification would help achieve gender equality in the U.S. in areas such as domestic violence, maternal health, human trafficking, reproductive rights, economic security, and discrimination in housing, education and the workplace. END.