The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is described as an INTERNATIONAL BILL OF RIGHTS FOR WOMEN. The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life  as well as education, health and employment.

The Convention is the ONLY human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations.  States agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women.

Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice and to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.

WHY THE NEED FOR THIS CONVENTION, 34 YEARS AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS????

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm