Driving change: Using CEDAW to increase women’s participation in decision-making
Source: ilga World
Summary:
Learn more about CEDAW General Recommendation 40 and how to use it in your advocacy
What is CEDAW, and why does it matter?
CEDAW, or the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted in 1979, is the key international human rights convention focused on women and girls. This international document is one of the most widely signed treaty bodies, with over 189 states having ratified or signed it.
The influence of this convention extends beyond developing international human rights law standards to also shaping local legal frameworks, informing national policy discourses, and setting the standards of accountability at the national level.
CEDAW is a key instrument to safeguard and ensure the fulfilment of human rights of lesbian, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LBTI) women and girls. Over decades, alongside feminists, groups and activists working on SRHR rights and SOGIESC rights have also extensively engaged in expanding the narrow interpretation of the convention regarding who is included as ‘women’ and ‘girls.’
Over time, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) has also broadened the understanding of “women” to be inclusive of LBTI women. To ensure women’s participation in all aspects of society, the economy, and the market, we must address the long-term and structural absence of women from decision-making systems.
The Committee developed a new General Recommendation (GR 40) to guide States parties on achieving equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems across all sectors.
Published by ilga World; access their full website here.
Image by ilga World
Summary:
Learn more about CEDAW General Recommendation 40 and how to use it in your advocacy
What is CEDAW, and why does it matter?
CEDAW, or the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted in 1979, is the key international human rights convention focused on women and girls. This international document is one of the most widely signed treaty bodies, with over 189 states having ratified or signed it.
The influence of this convention extends beyond developing international human rights law standards to also shaping local legal frameworks, informing national policy discourses, and setting the standards of accountability at the national level.
CEDAW is a key instrument to safeguard and ensure the fulfilment of human rights of lesbian, bisexual, trans, and intersex (LBTI) women and girls. Over decades, alongside feminists, groups and activists working on SRHR rights and SOGIESC rights have also extensively engaged in expanding the narrow interpretation of the convention regarding who is included as ‘women’ and ‘girls.’
Over time, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) has also broadened the understanding of “women” to be inclusive of LBTI women. To ensure women’s participation in all aspects of society, the economy, and the market, we must address the long-term and structural absence of women from decision-making systems.
The Committee developed a new General Recommendation (GR 40) to guide States parties on achieving equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems across all sectors.
Published by ilga World; access their full website here.
Image by ilga World