Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women | |
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![]() Party through Signature and ratification
Party through accession or succession
Unrecognized state, abiding by treaty
Only signed
Non-signatory | |
Signed | 18 December 1979 |
Location | New York City |
Effective | 3 September 1981 |
Condition | 20 ratifications |
Signatories | 99 |
Parties | 189 (Complete List) |
Depositary | Secretary-General of the United Nations |
Languages | Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish |
Full text | |
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The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. Described as an international bill of rights for women, it was instituted on 3 September 1981 and has been ratified by 189 states.[1] Over fifty countries that have ratified the convention have done so subject to certain declarations, reservations, and objections, including 38 countries who rejected the enforcement article 29, which addresses means of settlement for disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the convention.[2] Australia's declaration noted the limitations on central government power resulting from its federal constitutional system. The United States and Palau have signed, but not ratified the treaty. The Holy See, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Tonga are not signatories to CEDAW.
The CEDAW Chairperson position is currently held by Hilary Gbedemah.[3]