Articles 2 through 7 of the OP-CEDAW set out the conditions and procedures by which an individual complaint may be lodged and considered by the CEDAW Committee. The Communications Procedure enables women to lodge a communication with the committee claiming a violation of the rights contained in the CEDAW Convention. For a communication to be considered, it must first meet a series of procedural requirements. When this happens, the CEDAW Committee will then consider the substantive issues raised by the communication. At the final stage, the committee will issue its views, along with recommended actions to address any violations of rights contained in the CEDAW Convention.

Thorough research and preparation in the initial stages of lodging a communication with the CEDAW Committee can help avert delays and disappointments in the course of the process.

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