Join the human rights movement
for intersectional gender justice
at the local level.
Our Mission
CEDAW Rising advances gender justice and strengthens the rights of women and girls—in all their diversity—by promoting local adoption and implementation of the principles of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We strive to ensure our movement is grassroots-driven, intersectional, multigenerational and aligned with human rights standards.
We provide resources and expertise to support communities, local advocates and government officials in passing and effectuating CEDAW measures in cities and counties across the U.S. CEDAW measures provide evidence-based frameworks to dismantle systemic barriers, address intersectional inequalities and expand opportunities for all.
70+ Jurisdictions—and Counting!
We provide training and resources to empower local advocates to pass CEDAW measures in their communities.
Data-Driven Progress
We facilitate intersectional data collection and analysis, which inform local strategies for gender justice.
Meaningful Impacts
We advise on and monitor the implementation of concrete action items with demonstrable impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CEDAW?
CEDAW is an acronym for the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the global human rights treaty focused on gender justice. The UN General Assembly adopted CEDAW in 1979, and the treaty entered into force in 1981. The rights it enshrines promote gender justice in every area of life—civil, political, economic, social and cultural.
Is the U.S. a party to CEDAW?
No. The U.S. is one of only six countries—along with Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Palau and Tonga—that have not ratified CEDAW. President Carter signed the treaty in 1980, but the Senate has never approved the treaty by a two-thirds vote, as the Constitution requires for ratification.
How can local CEDAW measures improve gender justice in our communities?
Local CEDAW measures promote gender justice through intersectional gender data collection and analysis, concrete action plans with measurable impact and oversight mechanisms that ensure accountability and sustained progress.
For examples of local impacts, please refer to the published findings of CEDAW researchers and scholars in our Bibliography.
How does a global human rights treaty apply at the local level?
Although the U.S. has not ratified CEDAW, local governments can take meaningful action to uphold its principles. Under the international principle of subsidiarity, cities and counties have the authority, responsibility and proximity to promote human rights. By adopting local CEDAW measures, they can bypass federal inaction and advance gender justice where it matters most—in the communities that shape people’s everyday lives.
Are CEDAW measures only for Democratic (“blue”) cities and counties?
No. At CEDAW Rising, we believe that human rights and gender justice should be nonpartisan. Any local jurisdiction can implement CEDAW—and jurisdictions from every part of the country and political spectrum already have. Please refer to our CEDAW Jurisdictions page for a list of cities and counties with CEDAW measures.
How can I get involved with local CEDAW advocacy?
You can get involved by joining or forming a local coalition, connecting with officials in your city or county and advocating for the adoption and implementation of a CEDAW measure. CEDAW Rising offers resources, strategic guidance and a national network to support your efforts. Please refer to our Get Involved! page.
Do I need any special expertise to advocate for a local CEDAW measure?
Not at all—anyone can be a CEDAW advocate! Our movement is grassroots-driven because we know that the people living in each city and county are the experts on the needs of their communities. CEDAW Rising aims to support grassroots advocacy with tools and guidance.
Is there a model CEDAW ordinance that I can propose to my local legislators?
Yes. CEDAW Rising offers a model ordinance that advocates and policymakers can customize to suit the needs of their respective jurisdictions. Please read about our model ordinance and other resources in our list of Advocacy Tools. And feel free to reach out to us—we would be happy to share and provide guidance on using our model ordinance.
What is gender justice and how does it differ from gender equality and gender equity?
Gender justice refers to the broad project of transforming systems to dismantle the structural and systemic barriers that perpetuate gender-based oppression. According to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, gender justice encompasses both equity—the fair distribution of resources, access and opportunities—and equality—the achievement of equal outcomes.
In U.S. discourse, these terms are sometimes reversed: gender equality is often used to mean equal access and treatment, while gender equity refers to efforts to ensure fair outcomes by addressing systemic disadvantage. Gender justice integrates both, aiming not only to level the playing field but also to restructure it so that all people, regardless of gender identity, can thrive.
What is intersectionality and why is it important for gender justice?
Coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, “intersectionality” describes how multiple forms of discrimination interact to shape people’s lived experiences. Intersectionality is essential to meaningful gender justice because inequality does not operate along a single axis. CEDAW explicitly recognizes that women, girls and gender-diverse individuals experience discrimination in multifaceted ways, shaped by race, ethnicity, disability, age, migration status, socioeconomic status and more—extending beyond the categories protected under U.S. law. Local CEDAW measures grounded in intersectionality are better equipped to expose structural barriers and advance gender justice for all.
Intersectionality is a core value of CEDAW Rising. Please refer to our Theory of Change for more on our intersectional approach to gender justice.
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