CEDAW – to Cinvention in Elimitation of Dincrimination orprofit WThe Omen, often referred to as the Women’s Bill of Rights, is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18, 1979.
Despite the existence of other international human rights treaties, women still do not have equal rights with men. Additional means were required for the protection of women’s human rights, because the “humanity” of women did not guarantee the protection of their rights.
For the past 40 years, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has worked with dedication and passion to assist countries in implementing their treaty obligations to protect and promote the human rights of women since THE VERY FIRST SESSION met in Geneva in October 1982.
The CEDAW Committee is the independent expert body that monitors the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The CEDAW Committee consists of 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world. Trinidad and Tobago became a signatory to CEDAW on June 27, 1980. Our Professor Rhoda Reddock was appointed to the 23-member United Nations committee in 2018, charged with monitoring the progress made by States Parties in implementing the Convention.
Professor Rhoda Reddock facilitates CEDAW Awareness.
A witness of extraordinary sensitivity
The committee has established itself as an authoritative source on all things women’s rights. Since its first session in October 1982, the Committee has witnessed remarkable growth in the number of States parties and a corresponding increase in its workload. The Convention currently has 189 state parties. Thus, the vast majority of UN member states (193) have voluntarily agreed to respect, protect, promote and fulfill the human rights of women.
The Convention identifies many specific areas where there has been notorious discrimination against women, for example in relation to political rights, marriage and family and employment. It also sets out specific goals and measures to be taken to facilitate the creation of a global society in which women enjoy full equality with men and thus the full realization of their guaranteed human rights.
Professor Rhoda Reddock.
Why is CEDAW important?
CEDAW is a tool that helps women around the world bring about change in their daily lives. In countries that have ratified the treaty, CEDAW has proven invaluable in countering the effects of discrimination, which include violence, poverty and lack of legal protection, along with the denial of inheritance, property rights and access to credit.
Internationally, the treaty has contributed to the development of:
• ↓Citizenship rights in Botswana and Japan;
• inheritance rights in Tanzania;
• ↓Property rights and political participation in Costa Rica.
CEDAW has also prompted the adoption of:
• a law on gender equality in Mongolia;
• ↓ a law in Rwanda prohibiting sex-based discrimination in access to land;
• ↓Domestic violence laws in Turkey, Nepal, South Africa and the Republic of Korea;
• ↓ legislation criminalizing all forms of violence against women in Burkina Faso and femicide in Panama;
• ↓ a national inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women in Canada;
• ↓Anti-trafficking laws in Ukraine and Moldova.
How does CEDAW work?
States that ratified the Convention are legally bound, first, to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in all areas of life, and second, to ensure the full development and advancement of women so that they can exercise and enjoy their human and fundamental rights. liberties in the same way as men. Third, a state party should allow the CEDAW Committee to review its efforts to implement the treaty by reporting to the body at regular intervals.
Countries that have become parties to the treaty (state parties) are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how Convention rights are being implemented. During its public sessions, the Committee examines each State Party report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State Party in the form of concluding observations.
Source of information:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-elimination-all-forms-discrimination-against-women
CEDAW Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (CCoTT)
The CEDAW Committee of Trinidad and Tobago (CCoTT) is a voluntary non-governmental organization accredited by the UN ECOSOC, incorporated under the Companies Act 1995, focused on Advocacy, Public Awareness and Education on and for the sustainable implementation of the principles of the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Using a collaborative approach, we use recommendations advanced in periodic state reviews to ensure compliance within a national and human rights context.
The organization strives to cultivate a vibrant community that will support, strengthen and guide the development of the frameworks as a critical hub in the advocacy wheel by promoting the core principles of the Convention and engaging with communities in a way that adds significant value to the impact, sustainable development.
Contact details:
Tel: (868) 489-2185 | 225-7734 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.cedawtt.org
(information submitted by Terry Ince)
CEDAW consists of 30 articles, divided into the following areas:
General framework of the Convention Articles 1-5
1. Definition of discrimination –
Any distinction, exclusion or limitation made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, regardless of their marital status, on the basis of the equality of men and women, of human rights . and basic freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.
2. Political measures –
States should make laws and regulations, implement policies and change practices to eliminate discrimination against women.
3. Equality –
Women are fundamentally equal to men in all spheres of life. States must take action to ensure that women can enjoy basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.
4. Temporary special –
Measures Affirmative action or special temporary measures should and can be used (eg quotas or women-only services) to accelerate women’s equality.
5. Sex roles and stereotypes –
The Convention recognizes the influence of culture and tradition in limiting the enjoyment of women’s rights. States should modify or abolish discriminatory cultural practices and take appropriate measures to eliminate stereotypes of sex roles and prejudices derived from the idea of inferiority or superiority of one gender over another.
Specific and substantive issues Articles 6-16
6. Trafficking and prostitution –
States Parties should take all measures, including legislation, to prohibit all forms of trafficking and exploitation of women for prostitution.
7. Political and public life –
Women have equal rights to vote, hold public office and participate in civil society.
8. Participation at the international level –
Women should be able to represent their country internationally and work with international organizations on an equal basis with men.
9. Nationality –
Women have equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain their citizenship and that of their children.
10. Equal rights in education –
Women have equal rights to education, including vocational training and guidance, continuing education, sports and scholarships. Curriculum content should prevent the repetition of negative stereotypes and sexual health education should be available.
11. Employment –
Women have the right to work, employment opportunities, equal pay, free choice of profession and employment, social security and health protection. Discrimination based on marriage, pregnancy, childbirth and childcare is prohibited.
12. Health care and family planning –
Women have equal rights to access health care, including sexual health, family planning services, and prenatal and postnatal care.
13. Economic and social benefits –
Women have equal rights to family benefits, financial loans and to participate in entertainment, sports and cultural activities.
14. Rural women –
Rural women have the right to adequate living conditions, participation in development planning and access to education, health care, transport and financial services.
15. Equality before the law –
Women should be treated as equal before the law. Women have the legal right to enter into contracts, own property and choose where to live.
16. Marriage and family –
Women have equal rights with men within marriage including family planning, property ownership and occupation.
Committee and Procedures Articles 17-23
Administration and interpretation Articles 23-30
