Preamble

Background

Despite international instruments to safeguard women's rights, extensive discrimination against women continues. Because of this, measures must be set in place to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.

Article1

Definition of Discrimination

Discrimination against women includes any distinction, exclusion or restriction that affects women's enjoyment of political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other rights on an equal basis with men.

Article 2

Policy Measures

The Convention obliges States Parties to take concrete steps to eliminate discrimination against women.

Article 3

Guarantee of Basic Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms

States Parties are obliged to take all appropriate measures to ensure that women can enjoy basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Article 4

Special Measures

States Parties are entitled to adopt temporary special measures to accelerate equality for women. This allows for the introduction of affirmative action or positive discrimination until the objective of equality has been achieved. In any event, special measures aimed at the protection of maternity will not be regarded as discriminatory.

Article 5

Sex Role Stereotyping and Prejudice

The Convention recognises the influence of culture and tradition in restricting women's enjoyment of rights. Thus, States Parties are to take appropriate measures to eliminate sex role stereotyping and prejudice stemming from the idea of the inferiority or superiority of one sex over the other. Also, family education is emphasized to teach the common responsibility of both men and women in the upbringing of children

Article 6

Trafficking and Prostitution

States Parties must take all measures, including legislation to stop all forms of trafficking and exploitation of women for prostitution.

Article 7

Political and Public Life

The CEDAW Convention accepts that women have the right to vote, to participate in forming and implementing government policies and to join NGOs and associations concerned with public and political issues.

Article 8

Participation at the International Level

The Convention recognises that women have the right to represent the country at international level.

Article 9

Nationality

Women have equal rights with men to keep and change their nationality and to grant their own nationality to their children.

In this sense, women must not be forced to change their nationality when they get married to a man who is not a national of their own country. Also, women have the right to keep their nationality when their husbands change their nationality.

Article 10

Education

Women and girls should receive career and vocational guidance at all levels, access to curricula, examinations, teaching staff, school premises and equipment, and opportunities to get scholarship and grants on the same basis as men and boys.

Co-education is actively encouraged, particularly through the revision of textbooks and school programmes and adaptation of teaching methods.

Furthermore, women and girls have the right to participate actively in sports and physical education; to get specific educational information about the health and well-being of families; and to continue education without dropping out of school.

Article 11

Employment

The CEDAW Convention recognizes women's right to work on the basis of equality of men and women. Women must enjoy the same opportunities in terms of employment, remuneration, promotion, training, social security, and healthy and safe working conditions. Particularly, women should not be discriminated on the grounds of marriage, pregnancy, childbirth and childcare.

Article 12

Healthcare and Family Planning

Women have the right to services related to family planning, pregnancy and lactation.

Article 13

Economic and Social Benefits

The Convention recognises women's right to family benefits, bank loans, mortgages, and other forms of financial credit. It also ensures that women can participate in recreational activities, sports and cultural life.

Article 14

Rural women

States Parties should undertake to eliminate discrimination against women in rural areas so that they may participate in and benefit from rural development, including development planning, education, training, healthcare, financial credit, market access and social security programmes, equally with men.

Article 15

Equality before the Law

Women are to be treated as equal before the law and in legal capacity, especially with respect to signing contracts, buying and selling properties, and choosing where to live.

Article 16

Marriage and Family Life

The CEDAW Convention recognises that women have the same rights as their husbands in marriage, childcare and other aspects of family life.

Article 18

Article 19

Article 20

Article 21

Article 22

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee)

Reports of States Parties

Rules of Procedure

Committee Meetings

Committee Reports

Role of Specialized Agencies

Article 23

Article 24

Article 25-30

Effect on Other Treaties

Commitment of States Parties

Administration of the Convention