  Barbara Ehrenreich writes a very interesting op- ed piece in today's urlLink New York Times talking about the need for Kerry and the Democratic Party to put some sense in our policies toward improving human rights for women.
 One of the first steps she recommends is for Congress to ratify the urlLink UN Convention on Discrimination against Women ,  Ehrenreich points out that it is currently stalled the in Senate while 169 nations around the world have already ratified it.  Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity,
 is an obstacle to the participation of women,  on equal terms with men,  in the political,  social,  economic and cultural life of their countries,  hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,  Concerned that in situations of poverty women have the least access to food,  health,  education,
 training and opportunities for employment and other needs,  Convinced that the establishment of the new international economic order based on equity and justice will contribute significantly towards the promotion of equality between men and women.  What is the holdup in the Senate?  Why would they not taking immediate steps toward affirming the goals of the Convention and toward making these goals a reality for the many women around the world for which these goals are merely a dream right now.
