CEDAW
- March 16, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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CEDAW
Subject : International Conventions
Context : Pune RS MP demands criminalisation of marital rape.
Concept :
- The Convention on the Elimination of ALL Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly.
- Described as an international bill of rights for women, consisting of a preamble and 30 articles.
- It defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
- It was instituted on 3 September 1981 and has been ratified by 189 states.
- India signed CEDAW on July 39, 1980 and ratified it on July 9, 1993, with certain reservations. India has not yet ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
- By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:
- to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
- to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and
- to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.
- The treaty is monitored by a 23-member expert committee called the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
- The members are elected by state parties with the tenure of membership lasting four years.
Optional Protocol to CEDAW
- The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (OP-CEDAW) is an international treaty which establishes complaint and inquiry mechanisms for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
- Parties to the Protocol allow the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to hear complaints from individuals or inquire into “grave or systematic violations” of the Convention.