convention on women - CEDAW -Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- 1. Securing equal rights for women-CEDAW K Tejasree
- 2. UN's Role in Women's Rights 01
- 3. Introduction • The UN has supported equal rights for men and women since it was created. • Article 1 of the UN Charter says that the UN’s goal is to support human rights and freedoms for everyone, without discrimination based on gender. • In 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women was formed to focus on women’s issues. • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) said that all people are born free and equal in dignity and rights. • Despite this, discrimination against women continued because of society’s limitations • .In 1967, the UN adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted in 1979 and became law on September 3, 1981. • By 2020, 189 countries had agreed to follow CEDAW.
- 4. —Definition Article 1 of the Convention defines "discrimination against women" as any action that takes away or limits women’s rights and freedoms in any area of life. This includes political, economic, social, cultural, and civil areas. It means that women, whether they are married or not, must have the same rights and opportunities as men in all parts of life.
- 5. Main objective of CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women is a United Nations treaty against the discrimination faced by women in various forms worldwide. Promote equality in political, economic, social, and cultural spheres It legally binds all States Parties to fulfil, protect and respect women’s human rights
- 6. Articles states education and career opportunities for women states economic and social rights for women Article 15 Article 13 Article 10 states equality before the law States that governments must eliminate discrimination in marriage and family relations States the rights of women in rural areas Article 14 Article 16
- 7. Article 15 – equality before the law Women have equal rights as men before the law. Legal documents limiting women’s rights are void. Equal rights for movement and residence. They can sign contracts and manage property. 1 2 3
- 8. Article 16 • Include gender equality in laws. • Prohibit discrimination. • Protect women’s rights equally to men. • Repeal discriminatory laws. • Marry and share responsibilities in marriage. • Decide on children’s welfare. • Control family planning with access to information. • Have guardianship and property ownership Women have equal rights to Government must Article 16 says that governments must eliminate discrimination in marriage and family relations
- 9. Women's Political Rights Equal employment opportunities and workplace rights. Equal access to healthcare services Key provisions Article 7 Article 11 Article 12
- 10. Key provisions Women's Political Rights Countries must take action to eliminate discrimination against women in politics and public life, ensuring women have the right to: • (a) Vote and run for office in elections. • (b) Influence government policies and hold public positions. • (c) Join NGOs and groups involved in public and political life. Article 7 Article 12 Countries that are part of this agreement must take action to stop discrimination against women in health care. They need to make sure that women have the same access to health services as men, including family planning services. In addition to this, countries must provide women with the right services during pregnancy, childbirth, and after having a baby. This includes offering free health care when necessary and ensuring that women receive adequate nutrition during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
- 11. Article 11 Equal Rights: States must take action to eliminate discrimination against women in the workplace to ensure that women have the same rights as men. This includes: ○ The right to work for everyone. ○ The right to the same job opportunities and fair hiring practices. ○ The right to choose their profession and get promotions, job security, and vocational training. ○ The right to equal pay and benefits for work of equal value, as well as fair evaluation of their work. ○ The right to social security, such as benefits for retirement, unemployment, sickness, and paid leave. ○ The right to a safe and healthy work environment, including protection for their reproductive health.
- 12. Article 11 Protection for Pregnant Women: To prevent discrimination based on marriage or motherhood, states should: ○ Prohibit firing women because of pregnancy or maternity leave. ○ Offer paid maternity leave or similar benefits without losing their job or seniority. ○ Support parents in balancing family and work responsibilities by providing childcare services. ○ Give extra protection to pregnant women in jobs that may be harmful to them
- 13. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has had a significant impact on women's rights by: Promoting equality ● CEDAW is an international legal instrument that aims to promote equality between women and men. It requires countries to take action to ensure women have equal access to education, health, employment, and political and public life. Protecting rights ● CEDAW is the only human rights treaty that affirms women's reproductive rights. It also protects women's rights to acquire, change, or retain their nationality. Addressing discrimination ● CEDAW applies to both public and private acts of discrimination. It requires countries to take action to address discrimination by individuals, organizations, and enterprises. Guiding UN Women ● CEDAW guides the work of UN Women in achieving gender equality. Impact
- 14. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) • Established by Article 17 to monitor the Convention's implementation. • Members: Initially 18, increasing to 23 with 35 ratifications; elected independent experts. • Reporting: Countries must regularly report on actions taken to eliminate discrimination against women. • Role: Reviews reports, provides suggestions, and invites information from UN agencies and NGOs. • Monitoring: Ensures effective implementation and submits an annual report to the UN General Assembly. • Meetings: The Committee meets twice a year. Implementation
- 15. ● The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is a landmark UN agreement that aims to advance gender equality. Here are some examples of progress in countries addressing women's rights: • Women's suffrage - New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote in 1893, and women's suffrage is now a right under CEDAW. • Laws against domestic violence - Laws against domestic violence are now in place in around three-quarters of countries. • Representation in politics - Women's representation in politics is higher than ever before. • Reduction in child marriage and FGM - Child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) have declined in recent years. • Gender-related reforms - 131 countries have added 274 gender-related reforms to laws and regulations over the past decade.
- 16. • Gender discrimination: Women face gender discrimination in many areas of life, including education, the workplace, and healthcare. • Violence against women: Women face violence, including sexual abuse and harassment, from family members, relatives, and others. • Child marriage: Social norms and practices can lead to child marriage, which can expose girls to exploitation, poor education, and health. • Lack of access to justice: Women human rights defenders face challenges accessing justice. • Lack of labor law: The lack of labor law, including substantive law and adjudication processes, can impact women. • Media influence: Media influence and stereotyping can impact women. Challenges
- 17. ● Some criticisms of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) include: • Limited recognition of women's oppression • Some say that CEDAW's focus on public life, the economy, and education doesn't adequately address women's oppression in the private sphere. • Doesn't address violence against women • Some say that CEDAW's public frame makes it difficult to address violence against women, which is often considered "private" when it happens in the home. • Principles aren't used to inform law reform • Some say that the principles of CEDAW aren't used to inform law reform that could benefit women. • Gap between policy and social practice • Some say that there's a gap between the normative policy and social practice of CEDAW. Criticism
- 18. • CEDAW remains a key instrument for promoting women’s rights. • Global efforts are needed for full implementation. • Continued advocacy is essential to protect women’s rights. • CEDAW has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and protecting women's rights globally. However, ongoing discrimination and societal challenges highlight the need for continued efforts to ensure that women's rights are respected and realized in all aspects of life. Conclusion