Cities for CEDAW

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

ABOUT

The Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women is an international treaty adopted by the UN in 1979 that has yet to be ratified by the U.S Senate. The Cities for CEDAW campaign is a grassroots effort that provides tools and leadership to empower local women’s organizations and municipalities and effectively initiate CEDAW within their city, county or state. The civil society campaign was initiated in 2014 by the Women’s Intercultural Network, in partnership with The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights/The Leadership Conference Education Fund and the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York. WIN has continued to coordinate and support the growing campaign by providing expertise and resource information.

Happy diverse businesswomen huddling in the office

Our Goal

The aim of the Cities for CEDAW (The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) campaign is to “Make the Global Local” and protect the rights of women and girls by passing legislation establishing the principles of CEDAW in cities and towns across the United States.

Take Action in Your City

WIN and its partners have developed an effective campaign to help you take action in your city, town, county, and state…

Numerous jurisdictions across the country have been motivated to craft Resolutions and Ordinances to advance human rights for women into public policy, by establishing the principles of CEDAW locally.

From San Francisco CA to Bozeman MT to Toledo OH to Louisville KY to Broward County FL, municipalities large and small, urban and rural, are implementing the CEDAW model for strategies and tools to support women and girls. CEDAW guides this process with Resolutions, statements of support and endorsement for gender equity, and Ordinances, the legal framework for anti-discrimination policies.

Over 15 Ordinances have been approved by local officials, with over 40 Resolutions to date. There are over 50 local coalitions expressing interest in establishing CEDAW locally, and the number continues to grow.

List of cities that are actively engaged in the Cities for CEDAW campaign

More resources on Cities for CEDAW

Congratulations to our newest CEDAW City: Washington DC!

On March 15, 2023, Washington DC pass an ordinance making the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) city law.

Press Article