The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. It is often referred to as the international bill of rights for women. CEDAW aims to address discrimination against women and promote gender equality in various areas of life.
The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was adopted in 1999 and serves as a supplementary instrument to CEDAW. The Optional Protocol allows individuals or groups to file complaints (communications) directly with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) regarding violations of their rights under CEDAW. It also establishes an inquiry procedure through which the CEDAW Committee can investigate grave and systematic violations of women’s rights in a country that has ratified the Optional Protocol.
The Optional Protocol enhances the implementation and effectiveness of CEDAW by providing a mechanism for individuals and groups to seek redress for violations of their rights. It also strengthens the monitoring and accountability of states parties to CEDAW by allowing the CEDAW Committee to examine specific cases and conduct inquiries.
It’s important to note that as an AI language model, I can provide information up until September 2021. There may have been updates or developments regarding the Optional Protocol since then, so it’s advisable to consult the latest official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.