What is CEDAW?

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) defines what discrimination is and what governments should do to end such discrimination. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979.

CEDAW provides the basis for ensuring women’s equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life - including the right to vote and to stand for election - as well as education, health and employment.

Countries that sign into CEDAW are legally bound to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The implementation of CEDAW is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women formed by experts in the human rights from 23 countries.

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The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), is often described as an international bill of rights for women.  Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:

1. to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
   
   
2. to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and
   
   
3. to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.

The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women.

Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.

Singapore & CEDAW

Within a year of signing the Convention, countries are obliged to report to the Committee on measures which they have adopted to meet the goals. Subsequently, they are required to submit progress reports once every four years.

The Singapore government ratified CEDAW in 1995 and has since submitted four reports to the UN CEDAW Committee. In addition to the national reports submitted by governments, also non-governmental organisations are encouraged to submit CEDAW Shadow Reports to the Committee.

Read the latest SCWO's Shadow Report which was presented to the 49th Session of the UN Committee July 2011:

Executive Summary

SCWO Shadow Report

Lunch Briefing

SCWO's oral presentation

Concluding Observations by the UN CEDAW Committee (January 2012)

Reports submitted prior to 2011:

9 July 2001: Initial Report and Second Periodic Report presented to the 25th Session of the UN Committee on CEDAW (Download Report)

November 2004: The Third Periodic Report covering the reporting time frame of 2000 - 2004. (Download Report)

March 2009: Singapore’s Fourth Periodic Report to the UN Committee for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (Download Report)