United States and Iran United.... In opposition to Women's Rights

[MrScorpio]

Women's bill 'unites' Iran and US
By Kambiz Fattahi
BBC News, Washington


Caption: Iran's legal system discriminates against women

For more than 27 years, America and Iran have rarely seen eye-to-eye on anything.

So, how is it that these archrivals have a similar position, albeit for very different reasons, on a key women's rights convention?

Iran and the US are two of only eight countries that have not joined the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw).

Supporters call Cedaw an international "bill of rights" for women.

"This treaty deals with the most basic rights for women and girls, including access to basic medical care, legal redress against violence, and access to education," says Sarah Albert, co-chair of the Working Group for Ratification of Cedaw.

The Rest

This is what happens when you have theocracies running countries.

[rodeodance]

1. nor has the US signed the International Rights of Children (this as been

ongoing for years)

[rodeodance]

2. Senate has yet to ratify it. In 1994, a group of senators blocked its passage.

Former US President Jimmy Carter signed the Convention in 1980, but the Senate has yet to ratify it. In 1994, a group of senators blocked its passage.

Despite a 2002 attempt to revive it, the convention remains stalled in the Senate.


America is the only Western industrial democracy that has not ratified Cedaw.

"The opposition to the treaty is small but very vocal. It surrounds the issue of sovereignty. Opponents have argued that the US Constitution would be usurped if we were to ratify it," says Ms Albert.