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NYC4C’s speech to the Cities 4 CEDAW conference

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New York City has a population of 8.4 million people. We are the largest city in the United States and over twice the size of the 2nd, Los Angeles. One out of every 38 people residing in the United States lives in New York City. We have a larger population than 40 of the 50 states. We are incredibly diverse, with representatives from virtually every country in the world and virtually every language of the world is spoken in our city. This is the city that we wish to organize with NYC for CEDAW.

We have had to ask ourselves some very fundamental questions as we formulate a local law for Women’s Rights. New York City has a well-developed human rights law with Title 8 of the Administrative Code and the Human Rights Commission. Are we intending to highlight any rights that are not already covered in the law? How do we create a sustainable institution, not just a law? How do we create an institution that will survive beyond the next election and will have the support and, most importantly, the participation of New York City residents?

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Los Angeles Mayor Garcetti to issue Executive Directive on gender equity in city operations

New York City 4 CEDAW Act Posted on by

LOS ANGELES— Mayor Eric Garcetti will be celebrating Women’s Equality Day this evening by signing an executive directive calling on city departments to implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which the City adopted in 2004.

“Our city only succeeds if everyone has an equal shot at success.  For too long, our women and girls have been left behind and counted out, and I want Los Angeles to lead in employing and empowering women,” said Mayor Garcetti.

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Happy Women’s Equity Day from NYC4C!

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It was a mere ninety-five years ago today when women were first given the opportunity to vote. Just ninety-five years ago women were first accepted as full citizens and participants in our democracy. On August 26th, 1920 the 19th amendment to the Constitution, enshrining women’s right to vote, was enacted. Yet, despite having the vote for ninety-five years, women are still not full and equal participants in our society.

Women still earn less than men for equal work. Women’s health issues, when they differ from those of men, are given short shrift. Women are victims of gender violence, whether as recipients of domestic violence, being abused by those they most love and trust, or as victims of trafficking and being involuntarily forced into menial work, whether as prostitution or sweat shops. Men are discouraged from taking family leave, leaving family responsibilities to women and therefore women get penalized for looking after children and aging parents.

New York City for CEDAW is working to enact a women’s bill of rights for New York City, based on the articles of CEDAW.

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