UK present to UN on implementation of CEDAW

The United Kingdom and representatives of its Devolved Administrations and Overseas Territories were examined on the implementation of CEDAW by the UN committee on 10^th July 2008. The examination lasted five and a half hours and one hundred and two questions were asked by committee members.

A simultaneous video conference link was established between New York and London to provide access to cross government departments. This link proved very successful and the committee commented upon its added value. NGOs were allowed into the London conference to observe the proceedings which provided a cost effective and environmentally friendly option.

The UK delegation was headed by Minister Barbara Follett with assistance from officials representing the UK, Devolved Administrations and the Overseas Territories.

The UK has presented its report to the Committee, the report can be seen at

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2008/wom1694.doc.htm

A number of other organisations have also presented shadow reports which are their own reports on progress and challenges as they view the implementation of CEDAW in the UK. The Women’s National Commission has been a key player in this and produced a comprehensive report.

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cedaw/docs/ngos/WNC_UK41.pdf

What is CEDAW?

CEDAW is often described as an international bill of rights for women. CEDAW sets out what constitutes discrimination against women and sets a framework for national action to end discrimination.

CEDAW is the most authoritative UN human rights instrument to protect women from discrimination. It is the first international treaty to comprehensively address fundamental rights for women in politics, health care, education, economics, employment, law, property, and marriage and family relations.

CEDAW was drawn up after decades of work by the United Nations, governments and women’s rights activists. The First World Conference on Women held in Mexico City in 1975 resulted in a call for a treaty for women’s rights. On December 18, 1979, the UN General Assembly adopted CEDAW. Currently, 185 countries - over ninety percent of the members of the United Nations - are party to the Convention.

CEDAW is important for all women globally. Women in developed countries usually have a range of ways in which they can obtain their rights but many in developing countries still face enormous difficulties in achieving even the most fundamental rights. Therefore solidarity between women in developed and developing countries is important in ensuring that CEDAW is implemented effectively in all countries. 

What is CEDAW’s Optional Protocol; Why is it important ?

The Optional Protocol to CEDAW provides individual women and groups whose rights are violated with a way to seek international remedy. This is again especially important for women in countries who have no other means for gaining redress when their rights have been violated.  The Optional Protocol came into force in 2000 and offers two mechanisms  for holding governments accountable for their obligations under CEDAW:

1. A communications procedure that provides individuals and groups the right to lodge complaints with the CEDAW committee.
2. An enquiry procedure which enables the CEDAW committee to conduct inquiries into serious and systematic abuses of women’s rights.

These mechanisms are only applicable in countries that are states parties to the Optional Protocol.

Women in the UK can also take their case to the CEDAW committee. However, this would generally only be after they have exhausted all channels and procedures of United Kingdom law. 

How does the CEDAW committee work? 

All countries that have become states parties to CEDAW are examined periodically in New York or Geneva by the CEDAW Committee.

The Committee is currently made up of 23 members from different parts of the world ( Bangladesh, Cuba, Algeria, Thailand, Ghana, Malaysia, Netherlands, Egypt, France, Israel, Italy, Slovenia, Mauritius, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Korea, Croatia , Portugal).

As well as being an examination of a country’s progress, the diverse nature of the Committee ensures a useful dialogue on progress being made and challenges being faced in many parts of the world. It is a good opportunity to hear about best practice.