"CEDAW" has often been described as :

The correct answer is International Bill of Rights for Women.

Key Points

• CEDAW stands for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly.
• CEDAW is often referred to as the International Bill of Rights for Women because it comprehensively addresses gender discrimination and promotes gender equality globally.
• The treaty obliges signatory states to ensure women's equal rights in areas like education, employment, healthcare, marriage, and political participation.
• As of 2023, CEDAW has been ratified by 189 countries, making it one of the most widely endorsed human rights treaties.
• Countries that ratify CEDAW commit to submitting periodic reports to the CEDAW Committee on legislative, judicial, and administrative measures taken to uphold women's rights.

Additional Information

• Key Articles of CEDAW:
  • Article 1: Defines discrimination against women and outlines measures to eliminate it.
  • Article 5: Calls for modifying social and cultural patterns to eradicate prejudices and stereotypes.
  • Article 10: Ensures equal access to education for women and girls.
  • Article 11: Guarantees women's rights in employment, including equal pay and maternity protection.
• CEDAW Optional Protocol:
  • Adopted in 1999, the optional protocol allows individuals or groups to file complaints about violations of rights protected under CEDAW.
  • It also grants the CEDAW Committee authority to conduct inquiries into grave or systematic abuses of women's rights.
• India and CEDAW:
  • India ratified CEDAW in 1993, committing to uphold gender equality and eliminate discrimination against women.
  • Despite ratification, challenges persist in implementing certain provisions due to socio-cultural barriers.
• CEDAW Committee:
  • Composed of 23 independent experts, the committee oversees the implementation of the convention.
  • It reviews periodic reports submitted by states and provides recommendations for improvement.