CEDAW – International Bill of Rights of Women

The United Nations General Assembly adopted CEDAW on December 19, 1979. It came into force as a treaty on December 3, 1981. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women – often referred to as “The Women’s Treaty” – provides a basis for states to move towards a full realisation of women’s human rights and real gender equality. Broad and visionary in scope, CEDAW defines equality as substantive equality, which seeks to deliver outcomes that ensure equality of opportunity, equality of access and equality of benefit.

As of April 2005, 180 Countries, or over 90% of the members of the United Nations, ratified or acceded to CEDAW. All seven countries of CEDAW Southeast Asia Programme are State Parties to the Convention.

Click here for the CEDAW Convention text
Click here for Powerpoint Presentation on CEDAW