Discoteque
Rock n' Roll Doggie
interesting and frightening.....could this be the beginning of the demise of the "traditional" family? If you feel strongly that this should not be passed, contact your Senator or Congressman!
Senate Voting on Controversial Worldwide Gender Treaty
By Paul Serrell
Congressional Correspondent
July 30, 2002
The plan is called CEDAW, which stands for the "Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women."
CBN.com ? WASHINGTON, D.C. ? A powerful Senate committee is scheduled to vote today on a plan that could radically change the roles of men and women in the U.S. The plan is called CEDAW, which stands for the "Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women."
Supporters of CEDAW say it would promote gender equality in all areas of society around the world. But critics warn of a brave, new world where traditional views on family and relationships would be wiped out.
CEDAW is a United Nations treaty that President Jimmy Carter signed back in 1980. But after all these years, it still cannot take effect unless two-thirds of the Senate votes to ratify it.
What CEDAW says is that "a change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve full equality between men and women."
Democratic senators like Joseph Biden and Barbara Boxer view CEDAW as a big step forward for women, especially in poor countries like Afghanistan.
But conservative Christian groups say although CEDAW sounds good, it isn't.
Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America said, "This CEDAW committee at the UN has told China to decriminalize prostitution, criticized Mexico for having quote a lack of access to easy and swift abortion. This committee at the UN reprimanded Belarus for celebrating Mother's Day and told Armenia it needs to combat its stereotypical attitudes and portrayals of motherhood as a noble role."
Wright says if the Senate were to pass CEDAW, it might possibly give a new world court the power to overrule U.S. laws.
"The International Criminal Court came into being on July 1st, and radical feminist groups have admitted that they intend on using the International Criminal Court to enforce treaties like CEDAW. So if there are any violators of CEDAW they could face charges in the International Criminal Court," she explained.
In all, some 170 countries have approved CEDAW. But U.S. conservatives are still putting up a fight. The Bush administration has ordered the Justice Department to review CEDAW's impact, but it is not clear whether that will slow the plan's momentum in the Senate.
Many pro-family groups like National Right to Life are urging members to call their senators on this issue, asking them to vote against the treaty.
The votes of several Republican senators are said to be up in the air. Focus on the Family reports that Senators Gordon Smith of Oregon, George Allen of Virginia, Bill Frist of Tennessee, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, and Richard Lugar of Indiana are swing votes on the committee.
Supporters hope to have a vote before the full Senate by September.
(more on the subject)
"One reason they cite is the radical nature of the CEDAW compliance committee, the group that interprets the document. This panel, considered by UN observers to be the most active and ideological UN committee, criticized Belarus (Russia) for establishing Mother's Day. According to UN records, the committee expressed concern that, in Uzbekistan, "women's motherhood role was taking precedence over their professional and individual development." It also told diplomats from Singapore that "too much emphasis was placed on family in Singapore." The committee urged China to legalize prostitution. It informed Ireland that it was "compromised" by the influence of the Catholic Church, and stated that "the Committee is concerned that, with very limited exceptions, abortion remains illegal in Ireland. Women who wish to terminate their pregnancies need to travel abroad."