CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)

CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a treaty adopted by the UN in 1979 and put into force September 3, 1981.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as:

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.

CEDAW outlines an agenda for an end to sex-based discrimination by requiring signatory nations to enforce gender equality, eliminate prejudices and take measures, such as new legislation, to guarantee women protection against discrimination, coercion, and lack of education.

President Jimmy Carter signed the treaty on July 17, 1980. However, the Senate has not ratified it, making the U.S. the only developed nation that has not ratified the treaty.

Organizations advocating the ratification of CEDAW include:

CEDAW 2012 www.cedaw2010.com

Feminist Majority Foundation www.feminist.org

National Organization for Women www.now.org

Center for Reproductive Rights www.reproductiverights.org

The Better World Campaign www.betterworldcampaign.org

National Women’s Law Center www.nwlc.org

The Leadership Conference www.civilrights.org

Citizens for Global Solutions www.org2.democracyinaction.org

Berkeley Law at UCB www.law.berkeley.edu