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 (also known as CEDAW) is an international agreement that was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. CEDAW is a set of international legal standards that aim to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in both public and private life. CEDAW is the only international human rights treaty that specifically focuses on issues related to gender equality. In Colorado, CEDAW is recognized, but has not been implemented into domestic law. Colorado’s state constitution provides equal protection for all people regardless of gender. However, some argue that CEDAW should be adopted into the state’s laws because it is an international human rights agreement and codifies gender equality into the law. CEDAW provides protections in a wide range of areas, including political and economic rights, legal protection from gender-based discrimination, and the right to access health care and reproductive rights. It also sets out ways to eliminate gender-based violence and encourages women’s political representation and involvement in decision-making. CEDAW has been ratified by 189 states including the United States, and is held in high regard as an important tool for achieving gender equality. In Colorado, although it is not formally implemented in domestic law, it is still an important source of guidance on how to ensure gender equality.

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