Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - CEDAW

➡️ CEDAW - Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. It officially entered into force as an international human rights treaty in September 1981. It is widely recognised as an international bill of rights for women designed to end the discrimination of women, which "violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity"

The treaty is the result of 3 decades of work by the UN Commission on the Status of Women. It highlights the areas in which women are denied equality with men, officially defines the meaning of equality, and outlines how it can be achieved through an agenda for action.

Discrimination against women is deep-rooted, systemic, and even deadly. It can be witnessed in all areas of women's lives and, sadly, is a global phenomenon.

Jump straight to our resources on ➡️ CEDAW

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Women's Rights

• Gender Equality

• Women & Girls Rights to Education

• Women's Issues in Developing Nations

• Forced/Child Marriage & Dowries

• Violence Against Women, Sexual Harassment & Bullying

• Employment Inequality, Equal Pay & Female Poverty

• Harmful Societal Mindsets & Patriarchal Norms

• Women's Political Participation

• Opposition to Women's Rights

As of 2026, 189 states have ratified CEDAW. Parties to the treaty are legally bound to take "all appropriate measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men."

A further 114 have ratified the Optional Protocol, which allows the committee to receive and consider complaints from individuals or groups within its jurisdiction. The CEDAW Committee consists of 23 independent experts on women's rights from around the world. They monitor and scrutinise efforts to end discrimination and analyse mandatory reports submitted by state parties.

The Holy See, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Tonga are not signatories to CEDAW. The United States and Palau are signatories but have not ratified the treaty. As a global force and role model, the U.S. faces scrutiny for failing to uphold international human rights norms set out by CEDAW.

Their absence prevents them from shaping international standards on women's rights and allows inequality, economic disparity, and abuse against women to continue. Discrimination cases on gender are also impeded.

The Cities for CEDAW initiative promotes gender equality at the local level and has been implemented in major U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Washington.

Discrimination Against Women

• The global number of child brides is estimated at 650 million. Child marriage ends a girl's education, encourages adolescent pregnancy, limits her chance at employment, promotes financial dependence, and exacerbates poverty.

• Over 200 million women and girls in 30 countries have undergone female genital mutilation. These girls will suffer lifelong consequences such as serious health complications. FGM victims report higher school dropout rates and are especially vulnerable to child marriage. These women have a higher risk of infertility and are twice as likely to die during childbirth.

• Women and girls living through violent conflict are incredibly vulnerable. They bear the brunt of sexual violence, exploitation, and trafficking.

• An estimated 82 million women worldwide lack legal protection against workplace discrimination.

• More than 2.7 billion women are subjected to laws which restrict the types of jobs they can do, limiting their prospects and financial opportunities.

• Despite the vast majority of women in the Global South working in agriculture, just 15% of landholders are women.

• The gender pay gap persists. In 2018, women earned around 78% of what men are paid.

• Women's political participation is increasing, but the progress is not universally enjoyed. Women still only make up just 25% of parliamentarians worldwide.

• Out of all the humanitarian aid supporting gender equality, just 1% went to women's rights organisations in 2025.

Successes of CEDAW

CEDAW is a fundamental international legal instrument that helps courts to prosecute cases of gender discrimination. It has led to significant changes worldwide that have advanced women's rights.

• Legal Reforms - With a new legal obligation, countries have updated their constitutions and passed new legislation to help eliminate discrimination. Laws against sex-selective abortion were introduced in China. Mongolia brought in a law on gender equality. Botswana overturned a law that granted citizenship to children of men married to foreigners but not to children of women married to foreigners.

• Women's Leadership & Political Participation - CEDAW legally states that women must not be discriminated against regarding voting, holding office, and participating in non-governmental organisations. In Nepal and Rwanda, CEDAW principles have been incorporated, requiring a minimum of 33% to 50% female representation in federal and local bodies. Mexico has seen a 43% increase in women's representation in public leadership positions, making it one of just a few countries with gender parity in its Congress.

• Family & Work - Since adopting CEDAW, Rwanda has prohibited sex-based discrimination in land ownership. Improved maternity and childcare laws have been introduced in Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Austria and the UK. Turkey reformed many of its laws, which now allow women to keep their maiden names, work outside the home and keep their own wages. They also raised the marriageable age to 17.

• Gender-Based Violence - CEDAW has facilitated the criminalisation of all forms of violence against women in Burkina Faso. Femicide was criminalised in Panama. Domestic violence laws were introduced in Turkey, Nepal, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea. Anti-trafficking laws were established in Ukraine and Moldova. A national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada delivered 231 calls for justice.

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CEDAW remains a vital tool 45 years after its ratification. Unfortunately, its success remains vastly unequal. Progress which may have been experienced in Europe, for example, may not be seen in some African countries for many years to come.

Policies and programs for women's rights and gender equality must be properly funded. We need stronger national implementation, and the introduction of quotas and targets could help to promote greater accountability.

We must ensure that women know their rights by utilising free, reliable resources such as this one. On a local level, harmful cultural traditions and stereotypes must be challenged.

In the wise words of Ruth Bader Ginsburg - "CEDAW is a vital tool in our ongoing fight for gender equality, setting a standard for nations to follow."

The progress we have made is just the first stepping stone to a world where all women can live to reach their full potential, are not discriminated against solely because of their gender, and can live without fear or reprisal.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 02.02.26 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

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