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CEDAW around the U.S.

"WILD for Human Rights has a great track record -- they are a dynamic leader in the push to pass CEDAW as an ordinance in San Francisco as well as in other cities, and in San Francisco's subsequent gender analysis efforts."
-- Yuriko Brunelle, Seattle Women's Commission member

WILD for Human Rights works on the local implementation of international treaties, in particular, CEDAW. CEDAW requires that women and girls receive equity in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural spheres. Examples include guaranteeing women and girls' human rights to health, adequate standard of living, and life free from violence. President Jimmy Carter signed CEDAW in 1980, but the U.S. Congress never ratified it. WILD for Human Rights spearheaded the implementation of CEDAW in San Francisco and is now concentrating our efforts on other regions of the country including the following.

New York: Coalitions Work Towards CEDAW and CERD Treaties

The New York City Human Rights Initiative is working to locally implement the principles of two human rights treaties ­ CERD and CEDAW. The model of implementation is similar to San Francisco and includes an ordinance, a race and gender analysis and a City Taskforce as a monitoring body. The Initiative is being developed by a broad coalition of groups based in New York City. The coordinating committee includes NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ACLU Women's Rights Project, the Urban Justice Center, Amnesty International, and the Women of Color Policy Network. For more information, download a PDF from the ACLU's site.

Los Angeles: First Step Taken!

On March 15, 2000 the City of Los Angeles passed a resolution on CEDAW, as a first step toward its implementation. Los Angeles also established a Task Force based at the Commission on the Status of Women.

Chicago: Resolution passed!

Chicago has passed a CEDAW resolution. WILD for Human Rights continues working with Amnesty International, the Chicago Women's Fund and Chicago NOW on the resolution's implementation.

Boston: Diverse Partnerships formed

The Massachusetts CEDAW Project based at the Center for Women's Health and Human Rights at Suffolk University, is a diverse coalition of partners that are drafting legislative language and encouraging local (city or state) legislators to adopt and implement a CEDAW ordinance.

Other Cities: Building a movement

WILD for Human Rights has provided training and technical assistance on CEDAW implementation in the California cities of Santa Cruz, San Jose, and Santa Rosa. We also have initiated discussions in Atlanta with The Center for Human Rights Education and other local organizations.