The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the single most comprehensive human rights tool outlining women's civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights.

President Carter signed CEDAW in 1980, a year before the treaty entered into force. Thirty-one years later, the United States remains the only democratic and developed nation in the world that has yet to ratify CEDAW. In fact, the United States is one of seven countries - alongside Iran, Nauru, Palau, Somalia, Sudan, and Tonga - that have failed to ratify the Convention.

By choosing to ratify CEDAW, the United States has the great opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to recognizing and protecting women's and girls’ rights in law and practice in America and the world. Tell Senate to make 2011 the year the United States ratifies CEDAW.