DATE:
April 26, 2022 and May 10, 2022
34
TO:
Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT
Title
AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international bill of rights for women. The United Nations General Assembly adopted CEDAW in 1979. CEDAW, which consists of a preamble and 30 articles, defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets forth an agenda for action to end such discrimination. Across multiple sectors, discrimination against women causes negative impacts in economic, political, and social participation of women. This in turn results in loss of economic opportunities and poverty, among other things.
On July 17, 1980, President Carter signed CEDAW. However, the United States is one of only a handful of other nations, which has yet to ratify the treaty. Nonetheless, numerous cities and counties across this nation have taken action to adopt local ordinances that reflect the principles of CEDAW to work towards the elimination of all discrimination against women. Adopting a CEDAW ordinance locally will help the County of San Diego (County) achieve gender parity, decrease gender-based discrimination, and work towards the elimination of all acts of discrimination against women and girls in our county.
On November 16, 2021 (19), the Board of Supervisors (Board) took action to approve and direct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify appropriate County staff from the Office of Equity and Racial Justice and other relevant departments to work with the San Diego County Commission on the Status of Women & Girls to: (1) draft a San Diego County CEDAW Ordinance for adoption and approval by the Board; and (2) begin the process to conduct a gender equity strategy to help guide the implementation of this ordinance ...
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