What is 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) is an international treaty sponsored by the United Nations to promote the equality of women’s rights. CEDAW was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979 and has been signed and ratified by over 180 countries, including the United States and Texas. CEDAW emphasizes the need for governments to guarantee women equal rights under the law and sets forth international standards for doing so. It outlines obligations for countries to create and implement laws that protect a range of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights for women. The Convention also requires governments to take steps to combat gender-based discrimination, eliminate gender-based violence, ensure equal opportunities in employment, and provide access to health care. CEDAW is the only human rights instrument specifically dedicated to the rights of women. Although implementation of CEDAW is not enforced domestically in the United States, the treaty is seen as having strong influence on United States policies relating to gender equality and the promotion of women’s rights. In Texas, for example, CEDAW has been used to inform policy decisions related to domestic violence, reproductive health, the prevention of gender discrimination, and women’s economic empowerment.

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What is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women?

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