Japan Press Weekly

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2021 June 9 - 15 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

118 organizations jointly request gov’t to ratify OP-CEDAW

Attended by Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Motomura Nobuko, a women’s rights advocacy group on June 14 submitted to the Foreign and Justice ministries a written request, which was signed by 118 organizations, for Japan’s swift ratification of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The Optional Protocol was adopted in 1999 at the United Nations and has been ratified by 114 of the 189 signatories.

The written request notes that Japan ranks 120th among 156 countries in the latest global gender equality index. The document points out that Japanese women’s rights fall well below international standards. Stating that the ratification of the Optional Protocol is the most effective way for Japan to catch up with the world, the document urges the government to establish a timetable for the ratification.

Along with JCP Motomura, lawmakers of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and the Social Democratic Party took part in the submission.

Past related article:
> 88K signatures calling for Japan's ratification of OPCEDAW submitted to Diet [June 2, 2021]