On Women's Equality Day in U.S., a Global Focus

WASHINGTON, Aug 26 (OneWorld.net) - Eighty-nine years after U.S. women finally won the right to vote, advocacy groups are pressing the Obama administration to promote women's equality worldwide and paying tribute to an "indefatigable" champion of women's rights, Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

What's the Story?

The U.S. government currently has "no official standing to speak out against international violators of women's rights," said Citizens for Global Solutions in an email to supporters this morning. The Washington, DC-based advocacy group is encouraging its members to tell their senators to ratify an international treaty on women's rights that most other countries in the world have already signed.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who died late Tuesday night, was a champion of women's rights issues, including raising the minimum wage, which improved life for millions of American women and their families. © Sen. Edward M. KennedyThe Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) came into force in 1981 and has been called the international bill of rights for women. It has been approved by every democratic country in the world except the United States.

Every nation that has joined the treaty is required to file a report every four years, demonstrating how it is ensuring that women have equal rights and opportunities.

The treaty has improved the quality of life for women in many countries, say its advocates, who point to an increase in literacy rates in Nicaragua, Jordan, Egypt, and Guinea after those countries improved access to education for girls and women.

"U.S. ratification would legitimize CEDAW and encourage other state parties to uphold their obligations to the Convention," says Citizens for Global Solutions. [The full text of the group's email is below.]

Women's Focus Urged for Sudan

The Obama administration is also being urged to use its month as president of the UN Security Council to move forward a comprehensive peace plan for Sudan that brings women into the process and makes women's rights a central point of discussions.

"In any conflict around the world, women are usually the disproportionate victims and rarely are afforded justice," said Gerald LeMelle, executive director of the Washington, DC-based advocacy group Africa Action. "President Obama should seize the moment as President of the UN Security Council, build upon what the [United Nations peacekeeping force in Sudan] is doing effectively, and enable it to fulfill its mandate."

The United States will assume the rotating presidency of the UN Security Council for the month of September.

Africa Action believes U.S. officials should press for another 5,000 troops to be deployed to the Darfur region of Sudan to bring the UN force up to full strength. In a statement released today, Le Melle also called for more money to be authorized by the countries taking part in the mission, to provide training for women peacekeepers and much-needed helicopters and other equipment. link..