The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), initiated by women’s organisations from Asia, Africa and Latin America, was formally adopted in 1979 and entered into force in September 1981. The Convention is the most important international treaty to protect women’s rights and State party’s commit to promote a legal and de-facto equality of men and women. This includes that State parties are required to initiate and adopt policies to end discrimination of women in all spheres of life. To date, 191 countries have signed or ratified CEDAW, many however with reservations such that not all articles of the convention are legally binding to all State parties. The implementation of the convention is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women which is also responsible for the review of the State party reports. The International Convention on the Elimination of All Discrimination against Women is part of the 15 core conventions which are included in the EU’s GSP regulation.

CEDAW / UN