REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution in Support of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) [Council Pillar: Enhance Community Engagement and Transparency ]
Report
BACKGROUND
On December 3, 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. On September 3, 1981, CEDAW was entered into force as an international treaty.
CEDAW is an international human rights treaty that provides a universal definition of discrimination against women, brings attention to a whole range of issues concerning women's human rights, and affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around the world. Through its 30 articles, CEDAW defines what constitutes discrimination against women, calls for data collection and analysis, assessment, and monitoring on key issues that create gender inequality, and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. Countries that have ratified the treaty are legally obliged to work towards the modification of social and cultural patterns to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in all areas of life and ensuring women’s full development and advancement so they can exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms in the same way as men. They are also required to report to the CEDAW Committee by submitting a national report with the measures adopted to implement the provisions of the treaty. The United States is one of six countries in the world that have not ratified CEDAW.
In 2013, Women’s Intercultural Network (WIN), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the San Francisco Department of the Status of Women (DOSW), jointly launched a Cities for CEDAW Campaign. 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, and provides a comprehensive framework for advancing political and economic equality for women in the United States at the local level. The aim of the Cities for CEDAW 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.
DISCUSSION
Jean Cohen, Member of the Santa Clara County Women's Equality 2020 Leadership Council, provided information on the Cities for CEDAW campaign to the City of Santa Clara in January 2020 (Attachment 1) and requested that a resolution in support of CEDAW principles be adopted by the City Council.
The City of Santa Clara has demonstrated its support against discrimination with its adoption of Ordinance No. 1899 (Attachment 2) to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to be free from all forms of arbitrary discrimination, including discrimination based on gender and gender identity, and on age, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sex, and sexual orientation, in November 2012.
Consistent with Ordinance No. 1899, staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution (Attachment 3) in support of CEDAW.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a) as it has no potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no impact to the City other than staff time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov>.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Adopt a resolution in support of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Staff
Reviewed by: Genevieve Yip, Staff Analyst I
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Email from Jean Cohen Dated January 9, 2020
2. Ordinance No. 1899
3. Resolution in Support of CEDAW