CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women, 1979 (entered into force 1981)

This Convention, as the first legally binding instrument to take a comprehensive approach to prohibiting discrimination against women, is a significant achievement for women. Importantly, the Convention defines discrimination against women very broadly to include discrimination that occurs in the private (or domestic) sphere as well as the public arena, and to include distinctions that have the effect of discriminating against women (indirect discrimination) as well as distinctions that directly discriminate. It prohibits discrimination in many areas including political and public life, economic and social life (education, employment and health care) and marriage and family life, and sets out some specific measures to eliminate discrimination against rural women. The CEDAW establishes the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to monitor progress towards its full implementation. The Committee also makes General Recommendations (GR) based on its examination of reports and information from countries that have ratified the Convention. General Recommendations can help to clarify what countries are required to do to implement the CEDAW.