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

An international Bill of Rights for women, CEDAW defines discrimination 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 . . . of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”

Since its adoption by the United Nations in December 1979, CEDAW has been ratified or acceded to by 180 countries. Although the U.S. Senate has refused to vote on the question of CEDAW’s ratification. President Jimmy Carter made the US a signatory to the treaty in 1979, binding the US to do nothing in contravention of the treaty’s terms. Additionally, as of the end of 2005, 72 countries have ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, allowing individual and groups of individuals to bring complaints forward to the international level if no remedy can be achieved at the national or subnational levels.

CEDAW asks society to collect and study gender disaggregated data in order to deepen and extend understandings about how women are discriminated against in public and private life. In analyzing public programs and policies for adherence to CEDAW standards, the City of San Francisco examined three dimensions of operations: 1) service delivery, 2) employment practices, and 3) budget allocation through the lens of gender. The field of gender analysis is developing rapidly and practitioners can access new tools and rubrics through several websites. We recommend the new UNIFEM portal for Gender Sensitive Budget Initiatives as a place to start your search.

Read the text of CEDAW online
Learn more about efforts promoting US ratification of CEDAW
Learn more about how the United Nations oversees compliance with the CEDAW treaty

Contact MassCEDAW to arrange a workshop on US applications of CEDAW for your workplace or club.