Fact and Fiction

There can be some pretty fierce opposition to CEDAW, and unfortunately some of this opposition stems from information that simply isn't true. So here's something to clear up any misconceptions about CEDAW:

Misconception 1: CEDAW is pro-abortion.
This is false. CEDAW doesn't even mention the word "abortion." CEDAW promotes women's health, but it does not say anything about whether or not women should receive abortions.
If that doesn't satisfy you, consider this: Countries where abortion is illegal have, in fact, ratified CEDAW.

Misconception 2: CEDAW is trying to abolish Mother's Day.
I personally think this is one of the silliest misconceptions, but to people who might believe this: it's not true. This particular misunderstanding came about when the CEDAW committee heard about Belarus' plans for Mother's Day,  which would have promoted stereotypical roles of women. One of the goals of CEDAW, stated quite clearly in Article 10c, is to abolish gender role stereotypes.

Misconception 3: CEDAW legalizes and promotes prostitution.
Again, simply not true. Perhaps this misconception stems from a story concerning China and CEDAW. In China and other countries, women are often enslaved and forced into prostitution - and they cannot reach out for help or medical treatment, for fear of getting arrested. CEDAW seeks not the legalization but the decriminalization of prostitution.

EDIT: Just to clear up any possible confusion - decriminalization is not a typo. It also does not mean the same thing as legalization. The point of decriminalizing this kind of prostitution is that it would allow these women to reach out for help without being arrested for something they did not do willingly.

Well, those are the major ones. Other misconceptions - and corrections - can be found at the links included above. It's always important to have reliable and factual information on a topic.