What does the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) aim to achieve?

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) aims to achieve the comprehensive objective of eliminating discrimination against women in all areas of life. This overarching goal encompasses various dimensions of discrimination that women may face, including but not limited to education, healthcare, employment, and participation in political and public life.

CEDAW serves as a critical framework for countries to implement specific measures and policies that ensure equality between genders. It establishes a set of legal standards and outlines the responsibilities of states to promote and protect women's rights universally. While options related to promoting women’s participation in politics, increasing access to education, and enhancing rights in the workforce are important components of gender equality, they are actually subsets of the broader goal of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women. CEDAW’s comprehensive approach emphasizes that tackling discrimination in any one area contributes to the overall aim of equality and empowers women across all sectors of society.