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New NC effort to pass CEDAW

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There is a new effort in NC to work for the passage ofย  CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). This is a national AAUW priority – see, in particular, the CEDAW Resource Kit with background information and suggestions for action.

The group met in Cary on May 29. Representatives from USCRI, Ipas, UNIFEM/USNC, UNA-Wake, Human Rights Coalition of NC, NC CEDAW/CSW Committee attended. Here’s an (edited) report on that meeting:

Following introductions, the status of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) was discussed. It was agreed that additional information about CEDAW would be helpful, including the original Convention (which may be proposed by Senator Boxer) and the version in the Senator Foreign Relations Committee (which contains a number of RUD’s – (Reservations, Understandings and Declarations).

Action items assigned: initiate come research on CEDAW,ย  identify groups working for United States ratification of CEDAW, and preparing a petition in support of CEDAW ratification, which would be available for the collection of signatures at the Peace Booth of the North Carolina State Fair in October.

The group also discussed was the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Following discussion, the Committee decided to focus on a project aimed at providing financial support (approximately $1000 per person) for North Carolina women college students to attend and participate in the next annual meeting of the Commission to be held at the United Nations in New York City in March 2010. It was reported that the Wake County chapter of the United Nations Association had recently set aside $1000 for that purpose.

Overall, participants were very enthusiastic about the proposed goals of the Committee.

The next meeting is scheduled for 6:30 in Cary. If you would like to represent AAUW NC in this effort, please contact president Millie Hoffler-Foushee or Public Policy Chair Elaine Ostrowski (see contacts list).