Welcome to the United Nations 
OHCHR 
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The CEDAW Committee consists of 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world.
The CEDAW treaty is a tool that helps women around the world to bring about change in their daily life. In countries that have ratified the treaty, CEDAW has proved invaluable in opposing the effects of discrimination, which include violence, poverty, and lack of legal protections, along with the denial of inheritance, property rights, and access to credit.
Key documents
States parties reporting
All States parties must report on the measures they have adopted relating to the rights described in the Convention, and on the progress the State has made in upholding the rights of women.
Reporting guidelines
Follow-up procedure
Calendar of country reviews & documentation deadlines
Country-specific information overview
View the database of progress reports by one or more of these criteria.
Events
Contact information
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais Wilson - 52, rue des Pâquis
CH-1201 Geneva (Switzerland)
Mailing address:
UNOG-OHCHR
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: ohchr-cedaw@un.org
Twitter: @UNTreatyBodies
For individual complaints:
Petitions and Inquiries Section
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
United Nations Office at Geneva
8-14 Avenue de la Paix, 1211 Geneve 10, Switzerland
Email: ohchr-petitions@un.org
Photo credit: Getty Images
Activities
United Nations women's rights Committee calls for Peace between the Russian Federation and Ukraine
2 July 2024
CEDAW and CRC Joint Statement: The Women’s (Amendment) 2023 poses a serious threat to the rights and dignity of women and girls in the Gambia
Long version
3 June 2024
General Recommendation on gender stereotypes (General Recommendation 41)
23 April 2024
Call for comments on draft General Recommendation No. 40 on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems
Deadline 18 April 2024
International Women’s Day 2024
‘Awareness and Action – Poverty, Inequality and Gender Based Violence against Women’
8 March 2024
Gender persecution: Institutionalized violations of women’s human rights in Afghanistan
15 February 2024
Status of ratifications
To date, 189 of the 193 UN Member States have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and 114 have ratified the Optional Protocol. The proposed amendment will enter into force once a two thirds majority of States parties has accepted it.
CEDAW ratification, including all declarations and reservations
Optional Protocol ratification
Acceptance of proposed amendment to article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention
Latest resources
Working Group on Gender-Based Violence
CEDAW and Violence against Women: Reflections after 40 Years Domestic Violence as Gender-based Violence under the CEDAW
General comments
Draft general recommendation No 40. on the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems
General recommendation No.39 (2022) on the rights of Indigeneous women and Girls
General recommendation No.38 (2020) on trafficking in women and girls in the context of global migration