A Local Initiative To Affirm Rights For All

What is the Massachusetts CEDAW Project?

• We are a coalition of individuals and organizations that believes the Commonwealth of Massachusetts can meet the standards of non-discrimination detailed in international law and strive to fulfill the human rights of all its residents.
• We are a research collaborative working to identify and create opportunities for implementing international human rights law in Massachusetts.
• Together, we are part of a popular movement within the United States that is committed to a policy agenda which puts the universal realization of human rights at the forefront.
• Administrative support for the project is provided by the Center for Women’s Health and Human Rights.

What advantages does a human rights framework provide in addressing social justice issues?

A human rights framework provides a universal standard for human dignity, including physical and mental integrity. It establishes a proactive value system and the tools to define and articulate violations and demand redress. It offers mechanisms to hold those in power accountable for policies that perpetuate violations. As a a platform that transcends the single-issue approach, it is both an opportunity for those most affected by discrimination to devise solutions and a connection to the global human rights movement.

What are the current activities and goals of the Mass CEDAW project?

• Creating a diverse coalition of partners
• Educating legislators, grassroots social justice organizations and the general public about the universality of human rights and local relevance of international treaties
• Encouraging local (city or state) adoption and implementation of the principles of CEDAW
• Drafting legislative language that includes the principles of The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) and the Universal
• Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) into local resolutions and ordinances

How can you or your organization be involved?

• Attend a workshop on local application of CEDAW or other human rights treaties
• Host a brown-bag presentation on the Project for your staff/constituents
• Provide an organizational endorsement
• Host events at your office, campus etc
• Help to coordinate outreach to groups in your issue area
• Join the political strategies/outreach committee
• Join the drafting committee

Contact us at info@masscedaw.org or 617-994-4222 for more information.