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What is CEDAW
CEDAW is often referred to as the ‘women’s bill of rights’. It is one of the core international human rights treaties, which requires Member States to undertake legal obligations to respect, protect and fulfill human rights.
CEDAW was adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 18, 1979, coming into force as a treaty on September 3, 1981. Today, it is one of the most broadly endorsed human rights treaties – it has been ratified or acceded to by 186 countries to date, or about 90% of the UN membership.
Provisions protecting women’s human rights exist in all of the core international human rights treaties. What is significant about CEDAW is that it is exclusively devoted to gender equality, one of the key elements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). It is in CEDAW that the specifics of women’s human right to equality and non-discrimination are spelled out in detail, and the broad range of actions that must be taken to achieve this equality are mapped out. It is also in CEDAW that the nature and meaning of sex-based discrimination and gender equality is most clearly articulated.
CEDAW therefore provides a powerful framework for countries to move towards achieving gender equality, and realizing women’s human rights.
Despite widespread ratification of CEDAW however, full implementation of its provisions is unfortunately lagging in many parts of the world. There is a need for greater clarity and understanding about the role and place of CEDAW with respect to state institutions and civil society, particularly in regard to policy-making and resource allocation, and in developing national legislation, judicial decisions, programmes and mechanisms towards achieving gender equality. Without the integration and institutionalization of women's human rights in these important areas, the promise to women for gender equality and a world free of discrimination will take too long to achieve.
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