The Wire

Palau has become the latest country to sign the UN convention of Elimination of Discrimination Against Women – CEDAW. The United States is one of only five countries—including Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and Tonga – that have not yet signed up. Commonly known as a bill of rights for women, CEDAW strengthens the rights of women to own assets and hold key decision making positions in society. Reports have shown that women in the Pacific are amoung the most likely to experience physical or sexual violence – with two in every three women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their life time