• CEDAW Convention – basic information
• Optional Protocol to CEDAW

1. CEDAW Convention – basic information
2. Discrimination against women - definition
3. Measures to eliminate discrimination
4. Areas covered by CEDAW
5. General recommendations
6. CEDAW Committee
7. Reporting process
8. Role of NGOs: Providing Alternative Information to the Committee
9. State Parties

CEDAW Convention – basic information

The CEDAW Convention was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and entered into force in September 1981, 30 days after being ratified by 20th State Party. As of May 2009, 186 states out of 192 UN members are party to CEDAW. This makes the Convention one of the most highly ratified international human rights treaties.

The Convention was prepared and adopted with an aim to better protect and promote women’s human rights. The Convention is the first international document that defined the term “discrimination against women”.