Oakland, CA Resolution in Support of CEDAW

Oakland, CA, US

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Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 3/24/05

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://clerkwebsvr1.oaklandnet.com/attachments/10238.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION ON UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

WHEREAS, The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international human rights treaty, provides a universal definition of discrimination against women and commits ratifying nations to overcoming barriers to equality for women in the areas of legal rights, education, employment, health care, politics and finance, and

WHEREAS, Countries which ratify CEDAW are mandated to condemn all forms of discrimination against women and to ensure equality for women in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural arenas, and

WHEREAS, The United States has long been a world leader on human rights, but U.S. failure to ratify the treaty allows other countries to distract attention from their neglect of women and undermines the powerful principle that the human rights of women are universal. Until the United States ratifies, our country cannot credibly demand that others live up to their obligations under this treaty, and

WHEREAS, The United Nations General Assembly adopted CEDAW in 1979 and President Carter signed the treaty on behalf of the United States in 1980, but the United States Senate has not yet ratified CEDAW, and

WHEREAS, The ratification of CEDAW by the United States Senate is currently stalled in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and

WHEREAS, On the local level, adherence to the principles of CEDAW would especially promote equal access to health care, employment, economic development and educational

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oakland City Council hereby supports local implementation of CEDAW, with particular emphasis on the following three areas:

1. Equity and City Employment
The City of Oakland shall perform an annual review of City employment with respect to gender; shall review all Boards and Commissions as to the gender make-up of each body; shall include gender in all future Disparity Studies; and shall continue the Women Building Wealth program which sponsors workshops specifically tailored to the needs of women in the areas of homeownership, business development and economic empowerment;

2. Ensuring Safe Access to Reproductive Services
TheCity of Oakland shall undertake an annual review of its safety plans for clinics that offer reproductive services, to be done with clinic staff to ensure safe and unobstructed access to reproductive services. The City of Oakland shall also advocate for the establishment of teen health centers in each of Oakland's public high schools and shall be committed to open, impartial and confidential communication between clinic staff and clients;

3. Domestic Violence
The City of Oakland shall make it a top public safety priority to close service gaps in the prevention of domestic violence, the response to domestic violence incidents and to the treatment of victims of domestic violence. The City shall standardize its training, protocols and procedures for addressing domestic violence and shall provide status reports specifically on Domestic Violence to the City Council on a semi-annual basis. The City shall also regularly meet and coordinate with social service providers who specialize in addressing domestic violence; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Oakland City Council hereby urges the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to move CEDAW to the full Senate for debate and a final vote on its ratification; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Clerk of the City of Oakland is requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to the members of the California delegation of the United States Senate with a request that they take all action necessary to carry out the intent of this resolution.