HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-22 Public Comment - G. Monahan - Written CEDAW Testimony from 04-05-22 Commission Meeting CEDAW Testimony April 5,2022
Glenn Monahan—420 N10 Ave,59715
I'm testifying tonight in strong opposition to this resolution.
CEDAW was first introduced at the United Nations in 1979. Why are we considering adopting a 43 year old treaty?
Can't we come up with something more attuned to both modern times, and to American society?
The United States Senate ... on four separate occasions refused to ratify CEDAW, under both Democratic and
Republican rule.
Of countries ratifying CEDAW,62 countries(almost half)have done so conditionally, refusing to accept
components of the treaty considered problematic.
Does Bozeman really need another redundant resolution?The city of Bozeman has already made significant strides
in equality ... for example the 2015 resolution of equal pay for equal work.
How about cost?How much staff time, and how much taxpayer dollars will be spent in adopting and administering
another redundant equity program?
In addition to CEDAW being antiquated,rejected by the US Senate, conditionally ratified by 62 countries,and
redundant,there are other considerations.
The women's movement began in the 1960s,60 years ago ... and has been outstandingly successful in the United
States,achieving phenomenal gains.
For example- I am testifying here tonight before a woman mayor,and a city commission comprised of a majority of
women.
4 Supreme Court justices, Vice President of US, MSU president,my doctor, lawyer, accountant,&dentist—all
women!
I'm a strong proponent of data driven decision making. Please,pay close attention to the following:
For the last 20 years women have compromised over 50%of enrollees in college bachelor degree programs.
... in 2021 women were 60%of graduates from bachelor degree programs.
... The Wall Street Journal projects that in the next few years women will outnumber men earning bachelor degrees
by 2:1.
Masters degree programs: present enrollment=59%women.
PhD programs—have been majority women for past I 1 years-presently 53%.
Law school students are=54%women.
Medical school students are=53%women.
The accounting and auditor profession 58%women.
Financial management profession 53%women.
Mission Accomplished! Sure,there is still room for improvement—maybe more women airline pilots-but adopting
a 43 yo Womens Rights treaty just isn't needed.
If these trends continue,-the commission—in the near future-may well need to adopt a resolution protecting Males
from discrimination.
I support equality for women ... and 43 years ago,when CEDAW was first written, I likely would have supported
the idea of the city adopting it.
But at this point in time,given the trends supported by data,this is frivolous.
It's a classic example of a solution in search of a problem.
the amendments ... I feel they should be addressed separately by the commission as stand-alone issues-not bundled
with CEDAW.