Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The States Parties to the Convention recall the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international human rights covenants, and reaffirm equality of men and women in dignity and rights. They note that significant discrimination against women still exists, that such discrimination violates equality and human dignity, obstructs women's participation in political, social, economic and cultural life, and hampers the prosperity of society and the family. They recognize the contribution of women to family and social development, the social significance of maternity and the shared responsibility of men and women in raising children. They stress that full equality requires change in the traditional roles of men and women in society and the family, and determine to eliminate discrimination against women in all its forms.

For the purposes of the Convention, discrimination against women means any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.

States Parties condemn discrimination against women in all its forms and agree to pursue without delay, by all appropriate means, a policy of eliminating discrimination against women. They undertake to embody equality in constitutions or legislation, adopt laws and sanctions prohibiting discrimination, ensure legal protection through tribunals and public institutions, refrain from discriminatory acts, eliminate discrimination by persons, organizations or enterprises, modify or abolish discriminatory laws, customs and practices, and repeal discriminatory penal provisions.

States Parties shall take, in all fields, particularly political, social, economic and cultural fields, all appropriate measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women so that they may exercise and enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men.

Temporary special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination, but shall not entail maintenance of unequal or separate standards and shall be discontinued when equality of opportunity and treatment has been achieved. Special measures aimed at protecting maternity shall not be considered discriminatory.

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to modify social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women to eliminate prejudices and customs based on the inferiority or superiority of either sex or stereotyped roles. They shall ensure that family education includes a proper understanding of maternity as a social function and recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development of their children, with the interests of children as the primary consideration.

States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of prostitution of women.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in political and public life and ensure to women, on equal terms with men, the right to vote and be elected, participate in formulation and implementation of government policy, hold public office and perform public functions, and participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with public and political life.

States Parties shall ensure women, on equal terms with men and without discrimination, the opportunity to represent their governments at the international level and to participate in the work of international organizations.

States Parties shall grant women equal rights with men to acquire, change or retain nationality. Marriage to an alien or change of husband's nationality during marriage shall not automatically change the wife's nationality, render her stateless or force upon her the husband's nationality. States Parties shall grant women equal rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in education and ensure equal rights with men, including equal conditions for career guidance, access to studies and diplomas; same curricula, examinations, qualified teaching staff, premises and equipment; elimination of stereotypes through coeducation and revision of textbooks and methods; equal scholarship opportunities; access to continuing education and literacy programmes; reduction of female drop-out rates; equal participation in sports and physical education; and access to educational information on family health and planning.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in employment and ensure equal rights to work, employment opportunities, free choice of profession and employment, promotion, job security, benefits and training, equal remuneration and treatment for work of equal value, social security, paid leave, and health and safety. They shall prohibit dismissal on grounds of pregnancy, maternity leave or marital status, introduce paid maternity leave or comparable social benefits without loss of employment or seniority, encourage social services including child-care, and provide special protection during pregnancy in harmful work.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in health care and ensure access to health services, including family planning, on a basis of equality with men. They shall ensure appropriate services in connection with pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period, granting free services where necessary, and adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in economic and social life and ensure equal rights to family benefits, bank loans, mortgages and other financial credit, and participation in recreational activities, sports and all aspects of cultural life.

States Parties shall take into account the particular problems of rural women and their significant roles in family economic survival, including non-monetized work. They shall ensure rural women's participation in development planning, access to health care and family planning, social security, training and literacy, self-help groups and cooperatives, community activities, agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, appropriate technology, equal treatment in land and agrarian reform and resettlement schemes, and adequate living conditions including housing, sanitation, electricity, water, transport and communications.

States Parties shall accord women equality with men before the law, identical legal capacity in civil matters and the same opportunities to exercise it. They shall give women equal rights to conclude contracts and administer property and equal treatment in courts and tribunals. Legal instruments restricting women's legal capacity are void. Women and men shall have the same rights regarding movement and choice of residence and domicile.

States Parties shall eliminate discrimination against women in marriage and family relations and ensure equality in the right to enter marriage, freely choose a spouse and marry with free and full consent, equal rights and responsibilities during marriage and at dissolution, equal parental rights and responsibilities, equal rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of children and to access information, education and means to exercise that right, equal guardianship and adoption rights, equal personal rights including family name, profession and occupation, and equal rights regarding ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property. Child betrothal and marriage shall have no legal effect, and minimum age and official registration of marriages shall be required.

A Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women shall be established to consider progress in implementation. It consists of experts of high moral standing and competence, elected by States Parties and serving in their personal capacity, with equitable geographical distribution and representation of different forms of civilization and principal legal systems. Election, term and vacancy rules are provided.

States Parties undertake to submit reports to the Secretary-General for consideration by the Committee on legislative, judicial, administrative and other measures adopted to give effect to the Convention and on progress made: within one year after entry into force for the State concerned and thereafter at least every four years and whenever the Committee so requests. Reports may indicate factors and difficulties affecting fulfilment of obligations.

The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure and elect its officers for a two-year term.

The Committee normally meets annually for a period not exceeding two weeks to consider reports submitted under article 18. Meetings are normally held at United Nations Headquarters or another convenient place determined by the Committee.

The Committee reports annually to the General Assembly through the Economic and Social Council on its activities and may make suggestions and general recommendations based on reports and information received from States Parties. Such suggestions and recommendations are included in the report with comments from States Parties, if any.

Specialized agencies are entitled to be represented during consideration of implementation of provisions falling within their activities. The Committee may invite specialized agencies to submit reports on implementation in areas within their scope.

Nothing in the Convention affects provisions more conducive to equality between men and women contained in the legislation of a State Party or in any other international convention, treaty or agreement in force for that State.

States Parties undertake to adopt all necessary measures at the national level aimed at achieving the full realization of the rights recognized in the Convention.

The Convention is open for signature by all States, is subject to ratification, and instruments of ratification are deposited with the Secretary-General. It is open to accession by all States, and accession is effected by deposit of an instrument with the Secretary-General.

Any State Party may request revision of the Convention by written notification to the Secretary-General. The General Assembly decides on steps to be taken regarding such request.

The Convention enters into force on the thirtieth day after deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification or accession. For each State ratifying or acceding after that deposit, it enters into force on the thirtieth day after deposit of its own instrument.

The Secretary-General receives and circulates reservations. Reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention are not permitted. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification to the Secretary-General.

Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning interpretation or application of the Convention which is not settled by negotiation shall, at the request of one of them, be submitted to arbitration. If within six months the parties cannot agree on arbitration, any party may refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice. A State may declare that it is not bound by this paragraph; other States are not bound by it in relation to such State. Such declaration may be withdrawn.

The Convention, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who shall transmit certified copies to all States.