CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women
Our new film CEDAW - A Superhero for Women in Scotland, explains what CEDAW is and why we need it. Watch it here
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In July 1981 the UK government signed up to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and then ratified it in 1986. In doing so they made a moral and legal commitment to ending discrimination against women in the UK, to reporting back to the UN every four years on their progress in putting CEDAW’s provisions into practice, and to being held to account by the Committee on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women.
In 2008 the UK government’s 6th report to CEDAW (2007) generated such concern about the UK’s lack of progress that the government was asked to report the Committee again after a year!
They have just submitted their 7th report (June 2011) and can expect to be examined by the Committee about its contents and implications in the Summer of 2013.
Of course, like most of us, governments would rather shine a light on their achievements than acknowledge their failings, so CEDAW allows for NGOs to register to write and submit Shadow Reports and present evidence to the Committee that provide a somewhat more grounded insight into women’s lives and the issues they face. Engender is one of these registered NGOs.
Roundtables will bring together academics, practitioners and women who have something to say on the subject - to book a place at any roundtable please contact rosaria@engender.org.uk or call 0131 558 9596
Between now and July 2012 Engender will be developing a Shadow Report that will evidence continuing areas of discrimination against women in Scotland, acknowledge progress made and signpost the Committee to areas of concern. To ensure our Shadow Report is grounded we are engaging with and involving a diversity of women such as those living in poverty, providing unpaid care, seeking asylum and living in rural areas etc and working with a wide range of organisations across Scotland and the UK. During October and November 2011 we will be holding five thematic roundtables and on International Women’s Day (8th March 2012) we will host a national conference and the views we gather from these events will inform our shadow report to CEDAW.
Roundtables 10am - 1pm
6th October -Transgender Women and Feminism – The Gateway Centre, North Methven Street, Perth
26th October - Gendering the Care Debate – University of Stirling, Cottrell Building (rooms 2X4 and 2X6), Stirling
November 16th - Gendering the Child Poverty Debate – Out of the Blue, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh
November 24th - Rural Women’s Participation – Inverness, Argyll and Bute, and one other location (via video conferencing at the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Inverness)
November 30th - Gender and Asylum – Glasgow Caledonian University
Read the UK governments 7th Periodic Report submitted in June 2011 here: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/equalities/international-equality/7th-cedaw-report?view=Binary
Why not get involved! Let us know what YOU want CEDAW to know
