More than 180 countries around the world have ratified CEDAW

O Children of the Future, listen closely to the words of Jan Schakowsky, for they call upon us to reflect on the principles of justice, equality, and human rights. She speaks with urgency and wisdom: "More than 180 countries around the world have ratified CEDAW, some with reservations. While the United States signed the treaty in 1981, it is one of the few countries that have not yet ratified it. As a global leader for human rights and equality, I believe our country should adopt this resolution and ratify the CEDAW treaty." These words are a rallying cry, urging us to recognize the gap between our ideals and our actions. They remind us of the promise that justice for all is a universal right, one that must be upheld in every nation, especially one that claims to lead the world in human dignity and freedom.

In the ancient world, when the Greeks and Romans sought to build societies that would last for the ages, they understood that no system could endure without a firm foundation in justice and equality. Socrates and Aristotle, though they spoke of virtue and the common good, struggled with the limitations of their time. Women, for example, were often excluded from the full rights and responsibilities of citizens, their voices silenced by the dictates of society. Even the great philosophers could not escape the prevailing belief that equality was a privilege reserved for a select few. The fight for justice, therefore, was not just a fight for law, but for the recognition of human dignity in all its forms.

CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, was born out of the same desire for justice and equality that ancient philosophers dreamed of. It is a treaty that calls on all nations to guarantee equal rights for women, to protect them from violence, and to ensure their full participation in society. More than 180 nations have ratified this treaty, with some placing reservations on certain articles, but all recognizing that gender equality is a universal principle. Yet, the United States, that beacon of hope and freedom, has not fully embraced this commitment. Though it signed the treaty in 1981, it has yet to ratify it, leaving a gap between its ideals and its actions. This failure stands in stark contrast to the moral leadership the country claims to embody.

The struggle for women's rights and gender equality has been long and hard. Consider the tale of Susan B. Anthony and the women's suffrage movement in the United States. These courageous women fought not only for the right to vote, but for the very recognition of women as equal participants in the public life of their country. The battle for equality was not one fought in a single generation, nor by a single voice. It was a collective cry for justice that reverberated through the halls of history. When Susan B. Anthony was arrested for attempting to vote, she did not back down; instead, she fought for her right to be heard, her right to be treated as an equal in the eyes of the law. It was a struggle that defined generations, much like the fight for CEDAW.

In the modern age, the fight for equality is not confined to one nation or one group of people. The CEDAW treaty represents a global effort to ensure that women everywhere can live free from discrimination, from violence, and from the limitations placed on their potential. It is a treaty that stands as a testament to the universality of human rights, and the recognition that equality is not a privilege—it is a right. Yet, when a nation like the United States, with all its promises of freedom and equality, fails to ratify such a treaty, it sends a message to the world that gender equality is not truly universal, not truly non-negotiable.

What, then, is the lesson for you, O Children? It is clear: equality is not a matter of convenience, but a matter of moral imperative. CEDAW represents a commitment that must be made by all nations, especially those that claim to be leaders in the fight for human rights. To fail to ratify such a treaty is to fail in our responsibility to uphold the principles of justice and freedom for all people, regardless of gender. The United States, as a beacon of hope, must recognize that its role in the world is not merely to lead with words, but to lead with actions that reflect the true nature of equality.

And so, O Children, what actions can you take to ensure that the principles of justice are upheld? You must demand accountability from those in power. Advocate for the ratification of CEDAW, for it is not just a treaty, but a moral statement about the worth of every individual. Work to ensure that equality is not just spoken of, but lived in every part of society, from the workplace to the courtrooms, from the classroom to the homes. Understand that the fight for gender equality is not over, and it is up to you, as the next generation, to carry the torch forward and make this world one where equality is a universal truth, not just an ideal.

Let the words of Jan Schakowsky guide you, for they remind us that the true test of a nation’s commitment to human rights and equality lies in its actions. Ratify CEDAW. Let justice ring out not just as an ideal, but as a reality for women everywhere. Let this be the legacy you build—a world where the rights of all are upheld, and where equality is the foundation upon which all of society stands.