Unifem

CEDAW

Click here to access a CEDAW Factsheet.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is the most comprehensive human rights instrument to protect women from discrimination. It is the first international treaty to address the fundamental rights of women in politics, health care, education, economics, employment, law, property and marriage and family relations.

CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. It entered into force on the 3rd September 1981, with 64 States signing the Convention. As of June 2010, 186 States are party to the convention including 99 signatories to the Optional Protocol. CEDAW is part of international law and is monitored by the CEDAW Committee at the United Nations.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (also known as the CEDAW Committee) was established in 1982 and is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of CEDAW. The Committee is made up of 23 independent experts whom are nominated by those governments which have ratified CEDAW and are then elected by a secret ballot. Their term lasts four years, with only half of the Committee members replaced each time.

States who have become party to the treaty are obliged to submit regular reports to the CEDAW Committee on how the rights set out in the Convention are implemented. During its sessions, the Committee considers each State party report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations. The Committee also formulates general recommendations and suggestions. General recommendations are directed to States and concern articles or themes in the Convention.

Moving Forward with the CEDAW Action Plan for Women in Australia

On the March 8th, 2011 Celebrations for International Women’s Day, YWCA Australia launched the CEDAW Action Plan for Women in Australia. UN Women Australia is happy to see the release of the Action Plan following much hard work and planning through the CEDAW Project Advisory Group.
 
The CEDAW Action Plan highlights 15 points that the Federal and State and Territory Governments, must work towards in responding to the international community’s concerns about the human rights of Australian women.  The Action Plan is based on findings released by the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
 
In July 2010, the performance of the Australian Government under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was reviewed at the United Nations.  The CEDAW Committee released Concluding Observations that commended Australia’s performance in certain areas, and also highlighted several areas for improvement, including:
- protection from violence
- public and political representation
- education and employment
- the anti-discrimination and human rights legal framework and
- in particular, the need to improve the universe of human rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and women with disabilities.

The CEDAW Action Plan has been produced by the CEDAW Project Advisory Group, led by YWCA Australia and including representatives from the national women’s alliances, UN Women Australia and other peak bodies. It can be downloaded below under the CEDAW Action Plan for Women in Australia:

For more information about CEDAW see the following links:

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The CEDAW Optional Protocol
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - General Recommendations
CEDAW Action Plan for Women in Australia