Homelessness and United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Senate Subcommittee to Consider International Bill of Rights for Women
WASHINGTON - At 2:00 p.m. today, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law will hold a hearing to determine whether to recommend ratification of an international bill of rights for women, the United Nations' Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
This hearing comes on the heels of the United Nations Human Rights Council's first ever comprehensive review of the United States' human rights obligations. It is also particularly appropriate that this week, National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the subcommittee is focusing on domestic violence - one of the primary causes of homelessness among women in the United States.
The NationalLawCenter on Homelessness & Poverty is one of several groups who submitted a statement to the subcommittee in favor of the ratification of the convention. The Law Center's executive director, Maria Foscarinis said "President Obama has clearly stated that he wants the United States to 'lead by example' on human rights, but when it comes to women's rights, our country's failure to ratify CEDAW leaves us lagging far behind much of the rest of the world. "
The United States is one of only seven UN member nations (out of a total of 193) who have not yet ratified CEDAW.
In addition to domestic violence, the LawCenter's testimony draws attention to gender discrimination in employment and income, and to the particular difficulties of accessing adequate, affordable housing for women at risk of homelessness in rural areas.
Foscarinis also said, "Ratification of CEDAW by the U.S. Senate would continue America's bipartisan tradition of promoting and protecting human rights, and would strengthen U.S. global leadership in standing up for the rights of women and girls around the world. "
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) chairs the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law. Its recommendation will determine whether the Senate will vote on ratification.
