[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. RES. 237

  Mr. REID. On behalf of Senator Boxer, I send a Senate resolution to 
the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.
  Ms. COLLINS. On behalf of the Republican leader, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  S. Res. 237 will lie over under the rule.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today I am submitting a resolution on the 
Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
  For those unfamiliar with this issue, the Treaty, known by its 
acronym CEDAW, is the most comprehensive and detailed international 
treaty to date that addresses the rights of women.
  The United States was an active participant in drafting this treaty. 
It was approved by the General Assembly in 1979. President Carter 
signed the treaty on behalf of the United States.
  To date, 165 nations have ratified or acceded to the treaty. The 
United States joins the likes of Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran as 
the few nations who have decided not to become state parties to this 
treaty.
  The Convention requires that nations take measures to eliminate 
discrimination against women. Discrimination is defined as ``any 
distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which 
has the effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment, 
or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status.''
  The treaty addresses ``human rights and fundamental freedoms in the 
political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field.''
  Let me be clear, this treaty covers the most basic rights for women. 
For example, Article 5 recognizes the common responsibility of men and 
women for raising children. Article 6 requires measures to suppress all 
forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.
  Articles 7 and 8 would ensure that women have the right to vote, run 
for office, and represent their countries in international activities.
  Article 10 calls for the elimination of discrimination in the field 
of education.
  Article 11 gives women the right to work and free choice of 
employment.
  Article 12 eliminates discrimination in the delivery of health care 
services.
  This treaty covers other areas of discrimination as well, but as you 
can tell by the few Articles I have described, this treaty is extremely 
important to the rights of women throughout the world.
  And, ratification of this treaty will strengthen our capability to 
urge other nations to promote these rights.
  In 1994 the Senate Foreign Relations overwhelmingly supported this 
treaty approving the resolution of ratification by a vote of 13 to 5.
  Unfortunately, time ran out in the 103rd Congress before the full 
Senate had the opportunity to consider the treaty.
  Today, I am offering amendment stating that it is the Sense of the 
Senate that the Foreign Relations Committee should once again hold 
hearings on CEDAW.
  It also states the Senate should take action on the treaty prior to 
March 8, 2000--International Women's Day.
  The United States needs to show that it is the world leader on 
promoting human rights and that includes the rights of women throughout 
the world.
  I urge my colleagues to join us in cosponsoring this resolution.

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