Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

CEDAW

Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
Party through Signature and ratification   Party through accession or succession   Unrecognized state, abiding by treaty   Only signed   Non-signatory
Signed	18 December 1979
Location	New York City
Effective	3 September 1981
Condition	20 ratifications
Signatories	99
Parties	189 (Complete List)
Depositary	Secretary-General of the United Nations
Languages	Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish
Full text
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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, it was instituted on 3 September 1981 and has been ratified by 189 states.^[1] Over fifty countries that have ratified the convention have done so subject to certain declarations, reservations, and objections, including 38 countries who rejected the enforcement article 29, which addresses means of settlement for disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the convention.^[2] Australia's declaration noted the limitations on central government power resulting from its federal constitutional system. The United States and Palau have signed, but not ratified the treaty. The Holy See, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, and Tonga are not signatories to CEDAW.

The CEDAW Chairperson position is currently held by Hilary Gbedemah.^[3]