Stage 1: Submission and registration of the communication

Step 1: Individual or group of individuals submit a communication

The first step in lodging a complaint is to submit a formal communication. Articles 2 and 3 of the OP-CEDAW set out the pre-admissibility requirements for who may submit a communication and in which format the communication must be submitted. These pre-admissibility criteria are non-negotiable and the CEDAW Committee has no discretion in overriding their requirements. See also “ Submission Guidelines”.

• Who may submit a communication?

Article 2 [Rule 67, 68]* establishes that communications may be submitted “by or on behalf” of “individuals or groups of individuals” who are within the jurisdiction of a State Party –i.e. all those who were under the jurisdiction of the State party when the violation occurred – and who claim to be victims of violation of the obligations of the CEDAW Convention by that State Party. See also “Key Considerations”.

• Format of the communication:

Article 3 [Rule 56, 67]* establishes that a communication must be in writing, shall not be anonymous, and must concern a State party to the CEDAW Convention that is also a party to the OP-CEDAW. See Sample Format.

 

Note: * These refer to the Rules of Procedure.