[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S14545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RATIFICATION OF THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF 
                      DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

  Mr. PELL. Mr. President, I offer my congratulations to the conveners 
and participants of the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in 
Beijing this September, and the parallel NGO Forum on Women for 
promoting the human rights of women around the world. I would 
especially commend the members of the U.S. delegation to the Women's 
Conference, particularly First Lady Hillary Clinton and Ambassador 
Madeleine Albright, as well as the many others who contributed to its 
success.
  The goal of this conference was to promote the advancement of women 
by identifying and overcoming the obstacles still facing women. In many 
parts of the world today, discrimination against women results in 
forced abortions, in the trafficking or forced prostitution of young 
girls, and in the denial of nutrition or health care, even to the point 
of infanticide. Women are also the primary victims of domestic violence 
or rape, and rape is increasingly being used as a tool of war in 
conflicts such as Bosnia, Cambodia, Liberia, Peru, Somalia, and Rwanda.
  In many parts of the world, women are denied education, job training, 
or employment opportunities. Today, 64 percent of the world's 
illiterate and 70 percent of the world's population that lives in 
absolute poverty are women. Even when employed, women frequently face 
pay discrimination in the workplace. In too many countries, women are 
excluded from participating in policy-making or prevented by law from 
voting in elections.
  Mr. President, the Women's Conference addressed all of these issues 
and called upon governments to commit to specific actions that would 
advance the status of women. The United States delegation made 
commitments that continue the long-standing tradition of U.S. 
leadership in the fight for equality for women and men. American 
commitments include: the creation of a White House Council on Women to 
coordinate the implementation of the Platform for Action within the 
U.S.; a new Justice Department initiative to fight domestic violence; 
increased resources for improving women's health; improved access for 
women to financial credit; and continued support for the human rights 
of all people.
  Mr. President, I commend the Clinton administration for its continued 
efforts to promote the status of women at home and abroad. This year 
marks a historic point in the fight for women's equality. 1995 is the 
75th anniversary of women's suffrage in the United States. It is also 
the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, whose Charter 
recognizes the equal rights of women and men. And of course, the 
success of this year's Fourth World Conference on Women has set a new 
agenda for the advancement of women. In this spirit, Mr. President, I 
believe it is time for the United States Senate to give its advice and 
consent to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All 
Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
  The Women's Convention is the most comprehensive and 
detailed international agreement that promotes the equality of women 
and men. The Convention legally defines discrimination against women 
for the first time and establishes rights for women in areas not 
previously covered by international law. Today, 147 countries have 
ratified the Convention. The United States is the only industrialized 
democracy in the world that has failed to ratify the Convention.

  Under my chairmanship, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held 
three hearings on this important convention. On September 29, 1994, 
with my whole-hearted support, the Committee voted 13 to 5 to report 
favorably the Convention with a resolution of ratification to the 
Senate for its advice and consent. Despite support for ratification 
from many Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, from the 
Clinton administration, and from the American public, opponents of 
ratification succeeded in blocking the Convention from reaching a vote 
in the Senate last year.
  Mr. President, I believe the U.S. ratification of this Convention is 
important to demonstrate American commitment to eliminating all forms 
of discrimination against women both at home and abroad. Equally 
important, the United States should ratify the Convention in order to 
underscore the importance we assign to international efforts to promote 
and protect human rights. By failing to ratify the Women's Convention, 
the United States has rightfully encouraged criticism from allies who 
cannot understand our refusal to uphold rights that are already found 
within the provisions of our great Constitution. The United States 
cannot criticize other countries' violations of women's rights if we 
have not recognized those rights as international legal standards. The 
Women's Convention is an important human rights document that is 
consistent with the existing laws of the United States. Senate advice 
and consent to this Convention will demonstrate U.S. leadership in the 
fight for women's equality.
  Finally, Mr. President, as we consider the appropriations bill for 
the State Department budget, I would emphasize the difficulties that 
funding cuts will produce in the work to promote human rights. Without 
adequate funding, the U.S. will be unable to continue to play a 
leadership role in the international effort to promote women's 
equality. The ability of the State Department to monitor human rights 
abuses, to participate in the work of the U.N. Human Rights Commission, 
to support NGOs in their human rights work, and to gather information 
on human rights violations would be severely threatened. Clearly, it is 
in the best interests of the United States to promote human rights and 
democracy in every country. Let us not lose our leadership role in the 
protection of human rights.

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