On March 8, International Women's Day, two members of the Americans Abroad Caucus, Co-Chair Carolyn Maloney of New York and Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, introduced a Resolution in the House of Representatives calling for the ratification of CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women.

Said Maloney, “This year marks the 20th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action that ushered in enormous improvements in the lives of women across the world. In recognition of this inspirational anniversary we urge the United States to continue our nation’s proud bipartisan tradition of empowering human rights by ratifying the most comprehensive international agreement on women's rights, CEDAW. We need to ratify CEDAW and reaffirm our standing as a global leader for the rights of women and girls.”

 International Women’s Day occurs each year on March 8th and is a global celebration to honor women and recognize their economic, political and social achievements.

188 countries have ratified CEDAW, affirming their priority of protecting women against violence of any kind occurring domestically, at work, or in any sphere of a woman’s life.  The U.S. is the only western country in the world that has not ratified CEDAW, joining the ranks of Somalia and Iran. 

Congresswoman Schakowsky joined her Caucus colleague saying, "When girls and women live in security – free from violence – they can go to school, start businesses, help their families prosper and even serve their nation.  Ratifying CEDAW – something every other western nation has already done - would be an enormous step in the right direction.  I am so proud to join my good friend Representative Maloney in introducing this important resolution urging the Senate to act.”

FAWCO salutes these two Congresswomen and Americans Abroad Caucus members for reaffirming their steadfast support for CEDAW ratification.