The Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is
an international bill of rights for women. Acknowledging that the
more fact of women's humanity had been insufficient to guarantee women
protection of their rights under existing human rights standards and
mechanisms, it brings together in a single comprehensive human rights
treaty, the provisions of previous United Nations instruments concerning
discrimination on the basis of sex and extends them further, so as
to create a tool dedicated to the elimination of all forms of discrimination
against women.
The Convention requires States Parties to eliminate discrimination
against women in the enjoyment of all civil, political, economic
and cultural rights. It also establishes programmatic measures for
States to pursue in achieving equal enjoyment by women and men of
their human rights. States are obliged not only to work for equality
in public life, for example, in the realm of legal status and political
participation, but also in private life. In pursuing CEDAW's goals,
State's Parties are encouraged to introduce measures of affirmative
action designed to promote gender equality.
The Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in December
1979. Ratification was rapid, and the treaty came into force on
September 3, 1981. As of November, 1999, 165 countries - more than
two- thirds of the members of the United Nations - are party to
the Convention and an additional 4 have signed the treaty, binding
themselves to do nothing in contravention of its terms.
* from the homepage of the CEDAW Committee
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