Sunday March 8 was International Women’s Day, a day of reflection, recognition and solidarity for all of the world’s women. Every year, this day falls during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which is now meeting at the United Nations (March 1-13).  CSW was established in 1946 and is dedicated to gender equality and the advancement of women.  

Among its activities, the CSW drafted several conventions and declarations, including the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1967. The convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979 and was put into practice in September 1981.

The U.S. stands out as the only industrialized nation that has failed to ratify CEDAW, although it is a signatory.  By this omission, the United States has become one of a small group of nations, such as the Iran, Somalia and Sudan where violations of women’s human rights are particularly rampant.

CLICK HERE to read more and fight for women’s equality by joining the U.S. CEDAW ratification movement and sending a letter to Secretary of State Clinton.