CEDAW defines discrimination against women as “…any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

The U.S. is one of only a small number of countries, and the only developed nation, that has yet to ratify it.

In her statement, Ambassador Rice says, “CEDAW has been an instrumental tool in the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, offering an important blueprint for action to assure basic human rights and equality for half of the world’s population. CEDAW has assisted in boosting women’s access to land ownership, strengthened their inheritance rights, and increased access to justice within court systems. Despite clear progress, there are still great inequalities and discrimination against women persists. We must close remaining gender gaps, both at home and abroad.”

Sources: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/

http://usun.state.gov/briefing/statements/2009/133840.htm