The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it was instituted on 3 September 1981 and has been ratified by 189 states. Over fifty countries that have ratified the Convention have done so subject to certain declarations, reservations, and objections, including 38 countries who rejected the enforcement article 29, which addresses means of settlement for disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention. Australia’s declaration noted the limitations on central government power resulting from its federal constitutional system. The United States and Palau have signed, but not ratified the treaty. The Holy See, Iran, Somalia, and Tonga are not signatories to CEDAW.
Summary |
Part I (Articles 1-6) focuses on non-discrimination, sex stereotypes, and sex trafficking.
Part II (Articles 7-9) outlines women’s rights in the public sphere with an emphasis on political life, representation, and rights to nationality.
Part III (Articles 10-14) describes the economic and social rights of women, particularly focusing on education, employment, and health. Part III also includes special protections for rural women and the problems they face.
Part IV (Article 15 and 16) outlines women’s right to equality in marriage and family life along with the right to equality before the law.
Part V (Articles 17-22) establishes the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women as well as the states parties’ reporting procedure.
Part VI (Articles 23-30) describes the effects of the Convention on other treaties, the commitment of the states parties and the administration of the Convention.
Core Provisions |
Article 1 defines discrimination against women in the following terms:
Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.
Article 2 Government shall take concrete steps to eliminate discrimination against women.
Article 3 requires states parties to guarantee basic human rights and fundamental freedoms to women.
Article 4 notes that “adoption of special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination.” It adds that special protection for maternity is not regarded as gender discrimination.
Article 5 Government shall take appropriate measures to eliminate sexist stereotyping.
Article 6 obliges states parties to “take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of trafficking in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.”
Article 7 guarantees women equality in political and public life with a focus on equality in voting, participation in government, and participation in “non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country.”
Article 8 Right of women to represent the country at international level.
Article 9 mandates state parties to “grant women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their nationality” and equal rights “with respect to the nationality of their children.”
Article 10 mandates equal opportunity in education for female students and encourages coeducation. It also provides equal access to athletics, scholarships and grants as well as requires “reduction in female students’ drop out rates.
Article 11 Women have an equal right to work with men which include equal pay, promotion, training, health, safety, maternity leave.
Article 12 Women have the right to family planning services.
Article 13 guarantees equality to women “in economic and social life,” especially with respect to “the right to family benefits, the right to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit.
Article 14 provides protections for rural women and their special problems, ensuring the right of women to participate in development programs and to avail themselves of the benefits.
Article 15 obliges states parties to guarantee “women equality with men before the law,” including “a legal capacity identical to that of men.”
Article 16 Women have the same rights as their husbands in marriage, childcare and family life.
Articles 17 – 24 These articles describe the composition and procedures of the CEDAW Committee.
Articles 25 – 30 (Administration of CEDAW) These articles describe the general administrative procedures concerning enforcement of CEDAW, ratification and entering reservations of concerned states.