Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

A United Nations treaty adopted in 1979 that requires states parties to eliminate discrimination against women and advance equality in public and private life.

CEDAW Committee: A United Nations committee of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It reviews state reports and interprets the treaty through recommendations and decisions.
Commission on the Status of Women: A United Nations commission established in 1946 to promote women’s rights and gender equality. It helped develop the standards and negotiations that led to the Convention.
Gender-based violence: Violence directed at a person because of gender or violence that disproportionately affects people of a particular gender. The CEDAW Committee treats gender-based violence as discrimination covered by the treaty.
Substantive equality: An approach to equality that examines actual outcomes and structural disadvantage, not only identical legal treatment. The Convention’s duties support changing conditions that prevent women from enjoying equal rights.
Treaty reservations: Unilateral statements by which a state seeks to exclude or modify the legal effect of treaty provisions. Extensive reservations to CEDAW raise questions about the consistency and scope of state commitments.
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women: A 1999 treaty protocol enabling individual communications and inquiries concerning alleged violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. It adds complaint and inquiry procedures for states that accept it.
Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: A 1967 United Nations declaration setting out principles for eliminating discrimination against women. The 1979 treaty transformed this earlier declaration’s principles into binding obligations.
Women's political representation: The presence and participation of women in elected offices and other political decision-making roles. The Convention obliges states to ensure women can participate in public and political life.
Gender mainstreaming: The practice of assessing how policies and actions affect people of different genders throughout decision-making. CEDAW obligations have helped make gender analysis part of government policy processes.
Treaty compliance: The extent to which states fulfill obligations established by international treaties. The Convention relies largely on review and political pressure rather than direct enforcement.

Linked from 16 pages