The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (the CEDAW Convention) is a human rights treaty for women. The UN General Assembly adopted the CEDAW Convention on 19th December 1979. It came into force as a treaty on 3rd September 1981; thirty days after the twentieth member nation became a States party to it. CEDAW is one of the most highly ratified international human rights conventions, having the support of 185 States parties. This is one of the many benefits of the CEDAW Convention; it can stand as a treaty that has achieved a global consensus and thus reflects the normative standards applicable to women's human rights.

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This page was last updated on November 27, 2005

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