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The City Council of the City of Berkeley finds and determines as follows:

A. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), an international human rights treaty, provides a universal definition of discrimination against women and brings attention to a whole range of issues concerning the human rights of women. The United Nations General Assembly adopted CEDAW in 1979 and it became effective as an international treaty on September 3, 1981, after the twentieth country had ratified it. President Carter signed the treaty on behalf of the United States in 1980, but the United States Senate has yet to ratify CEDAW.

B. Nations that ratify CEDAW are mandated to condemn all forms of discrimination against women, and to ensure equality for women in the civil, political, economic, social and cultural arenas. One hundred eighty-seven nations have agreed to be bound by the provisions of CEDAW. However, CEDAW does not contemplate its adoption or implementation by governmental entities other than nations, especially governmental entities whose powers are more limited than those possessed by nations. Accordingly, the scope and effect of this Chapter are necessarily narrower than the legislation contemplated by CEDAW for adoption by nations.

C. At the regular meeting of July 12, 2004, the Peace and Justice Commission heard testimony from concerned citizens and discussed the operative principles of CEDAW. The discussion demonstrated that women continue to face discrimination in the areas of education, economic development and employment, violence against women, and health care. On July 20, 2004, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 62,617-N.S., supporting the ratification of CEDAW and requesting the City Manager to prepare an ordinance incorporating the operative principles of CEDAW into the Berkeley Municipal Code.

D. On November 16, 2010, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 65,102-N.S, directing the City Manager to "prepare an ordinance for Council consideration that adopts the operative principles of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women into the Berkeley Municipal Code."

E. There is a continuing need for the City to protect the human rights of women by addressing discrimination and violence against women and to locally support the principles of CEDAW. Adherence to the principles of CEDAW on the local level will especially promote equal access to and equity in health care, economic development, educational opportunities, and employment for women, and will also address the continuing and critical problem of violence against women.

F. There is a need to strengthen effective national and local mechanisms, institutions and procedures, and to provide adequate resources, commitment and authority to:

1. Advise on the impact of all government policies on women;

2. Monitor the situation of women comprehensively; and

3. Help formulate new policies and effectively carry out strategies and measures to eliminate discrimination. (Ord. 7224-NS § 1 (part), 2012)