U.S. alone in its opposition to parts of a U.N. draft resolution addressing violence against girls

U.S. alone in its opposition to parts of a U.N. draft resolution addressing violence against girls
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2018/12/18/latest-un-draft-resolution-america-has-problem-with-one-condemning-violence-against-girls/?utm_term=.45c1978d6f64

When it comes to certain key global issues, the world has become used to a familiar pattern over the last two years: the United States against them all. It’s the only country outside the Paris climate accord, and it is one of the only nations opposed to a recent U.N. agreement on migration, as well.

More surprising, the United States has now taken its rebellion against the global consensus to issues not usually considered controversial.

In July, U.S. officials forced Ecuador to refrain from backing a resolution in support of breast-feeding, opposing decades of academic consensus. Instead, the United States sided with American infant formula producers. U.S. officials dropped their opposition once Russia threw its weight behind the resolution.

In the U.N. General Assembly on Monday, the United States found itself once again isolated on the world stage on two matters that are essential to women’s rights. It was the only country that opposed nonbinding language in a draft resolution designed to tackle violence against girls and women, as well as sexual harassment. It was also almost alone in its opposition to language used in another draft resolution against early and forced marriage — only the tiny Pacific island nation of Nauru felt comfortable with being on Washington’s side this time. (Nauru is most commonly associated with an Australian offshore migrant camp, where children and other refugees are being held under inhumane conditions, according to rights groups.)

In both cases, the United States' opposition on Monday was triggered by references to “sexual and reproductive health,” which the U.S. delegation implied could “suggest the promotion of abortion or a right to abortion that are unacceptable to our administration,” according to Reuters. U.S. statements also indicated that there were concerns about the resolution conflating “physical violence against women with sexual harassment.”

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