RESO. NO. ______
RESOLUTION NO. _xx-23__
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND ,
CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF ADOPTING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE UNITED
NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)
WHEREAS, as the city of Richmond is committed to equality, justice, and the advancement of human rights for all its citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, which sets out a comprehensive and legally binding framework for the promotion and protection of women’s rights; and
WHEREAS, the United States has not yet ratified CEDAW, but most countries have signed and ratified CEDAW; and
WHEREAS, President Jimmy Carter signed the CEDAW in 1980 , but the United Sta tes along with Sudan, Somalia, Tonga, Iran, and Palau have not ratified the treaty yet, and when CEDAW ratification stalled again in 2002, then -Senator Joseph Biden lamented that “Time is a - wasting;” and
WHEREAS, our neighboring city, San Francisco, became the first city to adopt CEDAW in 1998 and change d its political atmosphere, which led to bringing gender to the forefront and balancing the number of men and women in leadership positions , including at some of San Francisco’s highest budgeted department s, such as the Fire Department, Police Department, and Port Authority, which are all led by women; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond has the authority and the responsibility to adopt and implement policies and laws that promote and protect the rights of its citizens, including the rights of women; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond initiated in 2008 an annual International Women’s Day event, which has become known as the Sisters in Solidarity International Women’s Day celebration, to honor the rights and leadership of women; and
WHEREAS, the City of Richmond became one of the nation’s first Human Rights Cities in 2009 by adopting Resolution 126-09, which adopted the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a guidin g principle with a commitment to setting human rights for all as a priority, and at this point in time the City Council desires to further this commitment, specifically for women’s rights.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Richmond City Council does hereby support the CEDAW and directs the following:
1. The Adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and expresses its commitment to the promotion of women’s rights within the city; and
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2. The city attorney to review and report back to the city council on the feasibility and legal implications of adopting and implementing the provisions of CEDAW into the laws and policies of the city; and
3. The city manager to work with relevant city departments and agencies to develop and implement a plan to promote and protect the rights of women in the city, based on the provisions of CEDAW and in consultation with relevant stakeholders; and
4. The city clerk to transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, the United States Congress, the Governor and Congresspersons of the State of California, and the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors to encourage the United States to ratify CEDAW as soon as possible.
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I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted by the Council of the City of Richmond, California at a regular meeting thereof held March 21, 2023, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTENTIONS:
ABSENT:
Clerk of the City of Richmond
[SEAL]
Approved:
Mayor
Approved as to form:
City Attorney
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State of California }
County of Contra Costa : ss.
City of Richmond }
I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of Resolution No. xx-xx, finally passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Richmond at a regular meeting held on March 21, 2023.