The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is a human rights framework of the UN which is exclusively devoted to gender equality. It's often referred to as the ‘women’s bill of rights’, and it spells out women’s right to equality and non-discrimination. The UK is signed up to CEDAW, and so the Government should comply with what it says about women's equality.
Engender is working to find out women's views about their rights. Find out more below.
What is CEDAW?
You can also read our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more about CEDAW and how Engender is involved and see a simplified version of what CEDAW says about women's rights here.
Why is CEDAW so important for women?
CEDAW is a really important tool for women's equality in a number of ways:
- It provides a complete definition of sex-based discrimination as something which impairs women’s social, cultural, political and economic rights.
- CEDAW recognises that traditional gender roles and stereotypes have to be eliminated if we are to be successful in ending all forms of discrimination against women and girls.
- CEDAW says that real equality means looking at women’s lives and the condition of their lives as a measure of whether equality has been achieved.
- CEDAW holds governments to account to respect, protect and fulfil women’s human rights. It does this by investigating and making recommendations to governments to address gender inequality. You can find out what the CEDAW Committee said about the UK in 2013 here.
Views on CEDAW
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Throughout spring 2018, Engender worked in a number of ways to gather people's views about women's rights and CEDAW. These included an online survey, webinars, events, and a resource pack to help people hold their own discussions.We also asked organisations working in Scotland to tell us what they think about women's rights by answering our Call for Evidence. You can see some of their responses here.
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Related publications
CEDAW: How can women's rights be better realised in Scotland?
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women (CEDAW) is a UN Convention which was signed by the United Kingdom in 1981, and ratified in 1986.
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women Concluding Observations 2013 The concluding observations (recommendations) of the CEDAW Committee, following its examination of the UK in 2013.
Engender CEDAW Pre-hearing Statement
Engender's statement to the pre-session working group, which took place in November 2012.
Engender Questions for CEDAW Examination of the UK
NGOs can submit questions to the CEDAW Committee in advance of the examination of their governments.
Engender Refreshed Shadow ICESCR Report
Engender's refreshed shadow report to the 6th periodic report of the UK Government to the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Engender Shadow CEDAW Report Engender's shadow report to the 7th periodic report of the UK Government to the UN's CEDAW Committee.
Engender Shadow ICESCR Report
Engender's shadow report to the 6th periodic report of the UK Government to the UN's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
Engender Statement on UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
Engender's statement to the UN's Universal Periodic Review process.
European Women’s Lobby General Assembly 2012 - Notes
Engender's notes of proceedings from the European Women's Lobby General Assembly in 2012.
Scottish NGO Commission on the Status of Women 57 Statement
This is a joint submission to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 57th meeting in 2012.
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