Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

CEDAW is an international human rights treaty adopted in 1979. The UK ratified (agreed to follow) CEDAW in 1986. By ratifying CEDAW, the UK agrees to take measures to ensure women’s full enjoyment of human rights on an equal basis with men, including:

• eradicating stereotyped roles for women and men
• ensuring women’s equal participation in public life
• equality before the law
• eliminating discrimination in employment

How the treaty is monitored

The implementation of CEDAW is monitored by the United Nations (UN) Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Around every five years, the Committee reviews how well each state is putting into practice the rights in CEDAW. Find out more about the previous review cycles. There are six stages to the treaty cycle – see CEDAW treaty cycle below for further information about each stage.

Engagement and participation

Civil society organisations and other stakeholders can engage throughout the treaty monitoring cycle. The UN has provided information on how to participate. We aim to support civil society organisations to understand and engage with the monitoring process. For instance, we may host webinars or roundtable discussions, commission organisations to produce reports on behalf of wider civil society, or provide financial assistance to increase participation in UN oral evidence sessions. We will commission up to a maximum of one civil society project per cycle. We most recently provided funding to the Women’s Resource Centre, Engender and WEN Wales as part of the previous reporting cycle to produce four reports:

1. UK-wide report, produced by the Women’s Resource Centre, Engender, WEN Wales, and the Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform
2. Report relating to Scotland, produced by Engender
3. Report relating to Wales, produced by WEN Wales
4. Report relating to England, produced by the Women’s Resource Centre

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) treaty cycle

The CEDAW review cycle is currently at stage 6: Government implements recommendations. Reporting to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women takes place under the simplified reporting procedure. The timings given below are estimates and may change, particularly as a result of delays and backlogs at the UN. Timings may also change due to UN plans to move to a predictable eight-year review cycle for all treaty bodies. Deadlines for submission of evidence may be confirmed by the UN at short notice, so stakeholders wishing to submit are advised to prepare in advance.