The Women's Treaty: CEDAW
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women
Also See: How Does a Human
Rights Treaty Become U.S. Law?
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Content and Significance of the Convention
PREAMBLE
PART I
Discrimination (Article 1)
Policy Measures (Article 2)
Guarantee of Basic Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (Article
3)
Special Measures (Article 4)
Sex Role Stereotyping and Prejudice (Article 5)
Prostitution (Article 6)
PART II
Political and Public Life (Article 7)
Representation (Article 8)
Nationality (Article 9)
PART III
Education (Article 10)
Employment (Article 11)
Health (Article 12)
Economic and Social Benefits (Article 13)
Rural Women (Article 14).
PART IV
Law (Article 15)
Marriage and Family Life (Article 16)
PART V
Committee an the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (Article
17)
National Reports (Article 18)
Rules of Procedure (Article 19)
Committee Meetings (Article 20)
Committee Reports (Article 21)
Role of Specialized Agencies (Article 22)
PART VI
Effect on Other Treaties (Article 23)
Commitment of States Parties (Article 24)
Administration of the Convention (Articles 25-30)
INTRODUCTION
On 18 December 1979, the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women was adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly. It entered into force as an international
treaty on 3 September 1981 after the twentieth country had ratified
it. By the tenth anniversary of the Convention in 1989, almost one
hundred nations have agreed to be bound by its provisions.
The Convention was the culmination of more than thirty years of
work by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, a
body established in 1946 to monitor the situation of women and to
promote women's rights. The Commission's work has been instrumental
in bringing to light all the areas in which women are denied equality
with men. These efforts for the advancement of women have resulted
in several declarations and conventions, of which the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
is the central and most comprehensive document.
Among the international human rights treaties, the Convention
takes an important place in bringing the female half of humanity
into the focus of human rights concerns. The spirit of the Convention
is rooted in the goals of the United Nations: to reaffirm faith
in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of
the human person, in the equal rights of men and women.
The present document spells out the meaning of equality and
how it can be achieved. In so doing, the Convention establishes
not only an international bill of rights for women, but also an
agenda for action by countries to guarantee the enjoyment. of those
rights.
In its preamble, the Convention explicitly acknowledges that "extensive
discrimination against women continues to exist", and emphasizes
that such discrimination "violates the principles of equality
of rights and respect for human dignity". As defined in article
1, discrimination is understood as "any distinction, exclusion
or restriction made on the basis of sex... in the political, economic,
social, cultural, civil or any other field". The Convention
gives positive affirmation to the principle of equality by requiring
States parties to take "all appropriate measures, including
legislation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women,
for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment
of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality
with men" (article 3).
The agenda for equality is specified in fourteen subsequent articles.
In its approach, the Convention covers three dimensions of the situation
of women. Civil rights and the legal status of women are dealt with
in great detail. In addition, and unlike other human rights treaties,
the Convention is also concerned with the dimension of human reproduction
as well as with the impact of cultural factors on gender relations.
The legal status of women receives the broadest attention. Concern
over the basic rights of political participation has not diminished
since the adoption of the Convention on the Political Rights of
Women in 1952. Its provisions, therefore, are restated in article
7 of the present document, whereby women are guaranteed the rights
to vote, to hold public office and to exercise public functions.
This includes equal rights for women to represent their countries
at the international level (article 8). The Convention on the Nationality
of Married Women-adopted in 1957-is integrated under article 9 providing
for the statehood of women, irrespective of their marital status.
The Convention, thereby, draws attention to the fact that often
women's legal status has been linked to marriage, making them dependent
on their husband's nationality rather then individuals in their
own right. Articles 10, 11 and 13, respectively, affirm women's
rights to non-discrimination in Education, employment and economic
and social activities. These demands are given special emphasis
with regard to the situation of rural women, whose particular struggles
and vital economic contributions, as noted in article 14, warrant
more attention in policy planning. Article 15 asserts the full equality
of women in civil and business matters, demanding that all instruments
directed at restricting women's legal capacity "shall be deemed
null and void". Finally, in article 16, the Convention returns
to the issue of marriage and family relations, asserting the equal
rights and obligations of women and men with regard to choice of
spouse, parenthood, personal rights and command over property.
Aside from civil rights issues, the Convention also devotes
major attention to a most vital concern of women, namely their reproductive
rights. The preamble sets the tone by stating that "the
role of women in procreation should not be a basis for discrimination".
The link between discrimination and women's reproductive role is
a matter of recurrent concern in the Convention. For example, it
advocates, in article 5, "a proper understanding of maternity
as a social function , demanding fully shared responsibility for
child-rearing by both sexes. Accordingly, provisions for maternity
protection and child-care are proclaimed as essential rights and
are incorporated into all areas of the Convention, whether dealing
with employment, family low, health care or education. Society's
obligation extends to offering social services, especially child-care
facilities, that allow individuals to combine family responsibilities
with work and participation in public life. Special measures for
maternity protection are recommended and "shall not be considered
discriminatory". (Article 4). "The Convention also affirms
women's right to reproductive choice. Notably, it is the only human
rights treaty to mention family planning. States parties are obliged
to include advice on family planning in the education process (article
10.h) and to develop family codes that guarantee women's rights
"to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing
of their children and to have access to the information, education
and means to enable them to exercise these rights" (article
16.e).
The third general thrust of the Convention aims at enlarging our
understanding of the concept of human rights, as it gives formal
recognition to the influence of culture and tradition on restricting
women's enjoyment of their fundamental rights. These forces take
shape in stereotypes, customs and norms which give rise to the multitude
of legal, political and economic constraints on the advancement
of women. Noting this interrelationship, the preamble of the. Convention
stresses "that a change in the traditional role of men as well
as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve
full equality of men and women". States parties are therefore
obliged to work towards the modification of social and cultural
patterns of individual conduct in order to eliminate "prejudices
and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea
of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or
on stereotyped roles for men and women" (article 5). And Article
1O.c. mandates the revision of textbooks, school programs and teaching
methods with a view to eliminating stereotyped concepts in the field
of education. Finally, cultural patterns which define the public
realm as a man's world and the domestic sphere as women's domain
are strongly targeted in all of the Convention's provisions that
affirm the equal responsibilities of both sexes in family life and
their equal rights with regard to education and employment. Altogether,
the Convention provides a comprehensive framework for challenging
the various forces that have created and sustained discrimination
based upon sex.
The implementation of the Convention is monitored by the Committee
on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The
Committee's mandate and the administration of the treaty are defined
in the Articles 17 to 30 of the Convention. The Committee is composed
of 23 experts nominated by their Governments and elected by the
States parties as individuals "of high moral standing and competence
in the field covered by the Convention".
At least every four years, the States parties are expected to
submit a national report to the Committee, indicating the measures
they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of the Convention.
During its annual session, the Committee members discuss these reports
with the Government representatives and explore with them areas
for further action by the specific country. The Committee also makes
general recommendations to the States parties on matters concerning
the elimination of discrimination against women.
The full text of the Convention is set out in the pages that follow.
CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST WOMEN
The States Parties to the present Convention,
Noting that the Charter of the United Nations reaffirms
faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the
human person and in the equal rights of men and women,
Noting that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms
the principle of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims
that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights
and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set
forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including distinction
based on sex,
Noting that the States Parties to the International Covenants
on Human Rights have the obligation to ensure the equal right of
men and women to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and
political rights,
Considering the international conventions concluded under
the auspices of the United Nations and the specialized agencies
promoting equality of rights of men and women,
Noting also the resolutions, declarations and recommendations
adopted by the United Nations and the specialized agencies promoting
equality of rights of men and women,
Concerned, however, that despite these various instruments
extensive discrimination against women continues to exist,
Recalling that discrimination against women violates the
principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity,
is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with
men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their
countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the
family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities
of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,
Concerned that in situations of poverty women have the
least access to food, health, education, training and opportunities
for employment and other needs,
Convinced that the establishment of the new international
economic order based on equity and justice will contribute significantly
towards the promotion of equality between men and women,
Emphasizing that the eradication of apartheid, of
all forms of racism, racial discrimination, colonialism, neocolonialism,
aggression, foreign occupation and domination and interference in
the internal affairs of States is essential to the full enjoyment
of the rights of men and women,
Affirming that the strengthening of international peace
and security, relaxation of ' international tension, mutual co-operation
among all States irrespective of their social and economic systems,
general and complete disarmament, and in particular nuclear disarmament
under strict and effective international control, the affirmation
of the principles of justice, equality and mutual benefit in relations
among countries and the realization of the right of peoples under
alien and colonial domination and foreign occupation to self-determination
and independence, as well as respect for national sovereignty and
territorial integrity, will promote social progress and development
and as a consequence will contribute to the attainment of full equality
between men and women,
Convinced that the full and complete development of a country,
the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum
participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields,
Bearing in mind the great contribution of women to the
welfare of the family and to the development of society, so far
not fully recognized, the social significance of maternity and the
role of both parents in the family and in the upbringing of children,
and aware that the role of women in procreation should not be a
basis for discrimination but that the upbringing of children requires
a sharing of responsibility between men and women and society as
a whole,
Aware that a change in the traditional role of men as well
as the role of women in society and in the family is needed to achieve
full equality between men and women,
Determined to implement the principles set forth in the
Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and,
for that purpose, to adopt the measures required for the elimination
of such discrimination in all its forms and manifestations,
Have agreed on the following:
PART I
Article 1
For the purposes of the present Convention, the term "discrimination
against women" shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction
mode on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing
or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective
of their 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.
Article 2
States Parties condemn discrimination against women in all its
forms, agree to pursue by oil appropriate means and without delay
a policy of eliminating discrimination against women and, to this
end, undertake:
(a) To embody the principle of the equality of men and
women in their notional constitutions or other appropriate legislation
if not yet incorporated therein and to ensure, through low and other
appropriate means, the practical realization of this principle;
(b) To adopt appropriate legislative and other measures,
including sanctions where appropriate, prohibiting all discrimination
against women;
(c) To establish legal protection of the rights of women
on an equal basis with men and to ensure through competent notional
tribunals and other public institutions the effective protection
of women against any act of discrimination;
(d) To refrain from engaging in any act or practice of
discrimination against women and to ensure that public authorities
and institutions shall act in conformity with this obligation;
(e) To take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination
against women by any person, organization or enterprise;
(f) To take all appropriate measures, including legislation,
to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices
which constitute discrimination against women;
(g) To repeal all national penal provisions which constitute
discrimination against women.
Article 3
States Parties shall take in all fields, in particular in the
political, social, economic and cultural fields, all appropriate
measures, including legislation, to ensure the full development
and advancement of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the
exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
on a basis of equality with men.
Article 4
1. Adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures
aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall
not be considered discrimination as defined in the present Convention,
but shall in no way entail as a consequence the maintenance of unequal
or separate standards; these measures shall be discontinued when
the objectives of equality of opportunity and treatment have been
achieved.
2. Adoption by States Parties of special measures, including
those measures contained in the present Convention, aimed at protecting
maternity shall not be considered discriminatory.
Article 5
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures:
(a) To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct
of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices
and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea
of the inferiority or the superiority of either of the sexes or
on stereotyped roles for men and women;
(b) To ensure that family education includes a proper understanding
of maternity as a social function and the recognition of the common
responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development
of their children, it being understood that the interest of the
children is the primordial consideration in all cases.
Article 6
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures, including
legislation, to suppress all forms of traffic in women and exploitation
of prostitution of women.
PART II
Article 7
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women in the political and public life of
the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on equal
terms with men, the right:
(a) To vote in all elections and public referenda and to
be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;
(b) To participate in the formulation of government policy
and the implementation thereof and to hold public office and perform
all public functions at all levels of government;
(c) To participate in non-governmental organizations and
associations concerned with the public and political life of the
country.
Article 8
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure to
women, on equal terms with men and without any discrimination, the
opportunity to represent their Governments at the international
level and to participate in the work of international organizations.
Article 9
1. States Parties shall grant women equal rights with men
to acquire, change or retain their nationality. They shall ensure
in particular that neither marriage to an alien nor change of nationality
by the husband during marriage shall automatically change the nationality
of the wife, render her stateless or force upon her the nationality
of the husband.
2. States Parties shall grant women equal rights with men
with respect to the nationality of their children.
PART III
Article 10
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rights
with men in the field of education and in particular to ensure,
on a basis of equality of men and women:
(a) The same conditions for career and vocational guidance,
for access to studies and for the achievement of diplomas in educational
establishments of all categories in rural as well as in urban areas;
this equality shall be ensured in pre-school, general, technical,
professional and higher technical education, as well as in all types
of vocational training;
(b) Access to the some curricula, the some examinations,
teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard and school
premises and equipment of the some quality;
(c) The elimination of any stereotyped concept of the roles
of men and women at all levels and in all forms of education by
encouraging coeducation and other types of education which will
help to achieve this aim and, in particular, by the revision of
textbooks and school programs and the adaptation of teaching methods;
(d) The same opportunities to benefit from scholarships
and other study grants;
(e) The same opportunities for access to programmes of
continuing education, including adult and functional literacy programmes,
particularly those aimed at reducing, at the earliest possible time,
any gap in education existing between men and women;
(f) The reduction of female student drop-out rates and
the organization of programmes for girls and women who have left
school prematurely;
(g) The some opportunities to participate actively in sports
and physical education;
(h) Access to specific educational information to help
to ensure the health and well-being of families, including information
and advice on family planning.
Article 11
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in the field of employment
in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, the
some rights, in particular:
(a) The right to work as an inalienable right of all human
beings;
(b) The right to the same employment opportunities, including
the application of the some criteria for selection in matters of
employment;
(c) The right to free choice of profession and employment,
the right to promotion, job security and all benefits and conditions
of service and the right to receive vocational training and retraining,
including apprenticeships, advanced vocational training and recurrent
training;
(d) The right to equal renumeration, including benefits,
and to equal treatment in respect of work of equal value, as well
as equality of treatment in the evaluation of the quality of work;
(e) The right to social security, particularly in cases
of retirement, unemployment, sickness, invalidity and old age and
other incapacity to work, as well as the right to paid leave;
(f) The right to protection of health and to safety in
working conditions, including the safeguarding of the function of
reproduction.
2. In order to prevent discrimination against women on
the grounds of marriage or maternity and to ensure their effective
right to work, States Parties shall take appropriate measures:
(a) To prohibit, subject to the imposition of sanctions,
dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or of maternity leave and
discrimination in dismissals on the basis of marital status;
(b) To introduce maternity leave with pay or with comparable
social benefits without loss of former employment, seniority or
social allowances;
(c) To encourage the provision of the necessary supporting
social services to enable parents to combine family obligations
with work responsibilities and participation in public life, in
particular through promoting the establishment and development of
a network of child-care facilities;
(d) To provide special protection to women during pregnancy
in types of work proved to be harmful to them.
3. Protective legislation relating to matters covered in
this article shall be reviewed periodically in the light of scientific
and technological knowledge and shall be revised, repealed or extended
as necessary.
Article 12
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care
in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, access
to health care services, including those related to family planning.
2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this
article, States Parties shall ensure to women appropriate services
in connection with pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period,
granting free services where necessary, as well as adequate nutrition
during pregnancy and lactation.
Article 13
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in other areas of economic
and social life in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men
and women, the some rights, in particular:
(a) The right to family benefits;
(b) The right to bank loans, mortgages and other forms
of financial credit;
(c) The right to participate in recreational activities,
sports and all aspects of cultural life.
Article 14
1. States Parties shall take into account the particular
problems faced by rural women and the significant roles which rural
women play in the economic survival of their families, including
their work in the non-monetized sectors of the economy, and shall
take all appropriate measures to ensure the application of the provisions
of this Convention to women in rural areas.
2. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in rural areas in order to
ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, that they participate
in and benefit from rural development and, in particular, shall
ensure to such women the right:
(a) To participate in the elaboration and implementation
of development planning at all levels;
(b) To have access to adequate health care facilities,
including information, counseling and services in family planning;
(c) To benefit directly from social security programmes;
(d) To obtain all types of training and education, formal
and non-formal, including that relating to functional literacy,
as well as, inter alia, the benefit of all community and
extension services, in order to increase their technical proficiency;
(e) To organize self-help groups and co-operatives in order
to obtain equal access to economic opportunities through employment
or self-employment;
(f)To participate in all community activities;
(g) To have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing
facilities, appropriate technology and equal treatment in land and
agrarian reform as well as in land resettlement schemes;
(h) To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in
relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport
and communications.
PART IV
Article 15
1. States Parties shall accord to women equality with men
before the law.
2. States Parties shall accord to women, in civil matters,
a legal capacity identical to that of men and the some opportunities
to exercise that capacity. In particular, they shall give women
equal rights to conclude contracts and to administer property and
shall treat them equally in all stages of procedure in courts and
tribunals.
3. States Parties agree that all contracts and all other
private instruments of any kind with a legal effect which is directed
at restricting the legal capacity of women shall be deemed null
and void.
4. States Parties shall accord to men and women the same
rights with regard to the law relating to the movement of persons
and the freedom to choose their residence and domicile.
Article 16
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to
marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on
a basis of equality of men and women:
(a) The same right to enter into marriage;
(b) The same right freely to choose spouse and to enter
into marriage only with their free and full consent;
(c) The same rights and responsibilities during marriage
and at its dissolution;
(d) The same rights and responsibilities as parents, irrespective
of their marital status, in matters relating to their children;
in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;
(e) The same rights to decide freely and responsibly on
the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the
information, education and means to enable them to exercise these
rights,
(f) The same rights and responsibilities with regard to
guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of children, or
similar institutions where these concepts exist in national legislation;
in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;
(g) The same personal rights as husband and wife, including
the right to choosing a family name, a profession and an occupation;
(h) The same rights for both spouses in respect of the
ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and
disposition of property, whether free of charge or for a valuable
consideration.
2. The betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have
no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation,
shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make
the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory.
PART V
Article 17
1. For the purpose of considering the progress made in
the implementation of the present Convention, there shall be established
a Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (hereinafter
referred to as the Committee) consisting, at the time of entry into
force of the Convention, of eighteen and, after ratification of
or accession to the Convention by the thirty-fifth State Party,
of twenty-three experts of high moral standing and competence in
the field covered by the Convention. The experts shall be elected
by States Parties from among their nationals and shall serve in
their personal capacity, consideration being given to equitable
geographical distribution and to the representation of the different
forms of civilization as well as the principle legal systems.
2. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret
ballot from a list of persons nominated by States Parties. Each
State Party may nominate one person from among its own nationals.
3. The initial election shall be held six months after
the date of the entry into force of the present Convention. At least
three months before the date of each election the Secretary-General
of the United Nations shall address a letter to the States Parties
inviting them to submit their nominations within two months. The
Secretary-General shall prepare a list in alphabetical order of
all persons thus nominated, indicating the States Parties which
have nominated them, and shall submit it to the States Parties.
4. Elections of the members of the Committee shall be held
at a meeting of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General
at United Nations Headquarters. At that meeting, for which two thirds
of the States Parties shall constitute a quorum, the persons elected
to the Committee shall be those nominees who obtain the largest
number of votes and an absolute majority of the votes of the representatives
of States Parties present and voting.
5. The members of the Committee shall be elected for a
term of four years. However, the terms of nine of the members elected
at the first election shall expire at the end of two years; immediately
after the first election the names of these nine members shall be
chosen by lot by the Chairman of the Committee.
6. The election of the five additional members of the Committee
shall be held in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 2,
3, and 4 of this article, following the thirty-fifth ratification
or accession. The terms of two of the additional members elected
on this occasion shall expire at the end of two years, the names
of these two members having been chosen by lot by the Chairman of
the Committee.
7. For the filling of casual vacancies, the State Party
whose expert has ceased to function as a member of the Committee
shall appoint another expert from among its nationals, subject to
the approval of the Committee.
8. The members of the Committee shall, with the approval
of the General Assembly, receive emoluments from United Nations
resources on such terms and conditions as the Assembly may decide,
having regard to the importance of the Committee's responsibilities.
9. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall provide
the necessary staff and facilities for the effective performance
of the functions of the Committee under the present Convention.
Article 18
1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-General
of the United Nations, for consideration by the Committee, a report
on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures which
they have adopted to give effect to the provisions of the present
Convention and on the progress made in this respect:
(a) Within a year after the entry into force for the State
concerned; and
(b) Thereafter at least every four years and further whenever
the Committee so requests.
2. Reports may indicate factors and difficulties affecting
the degree of fulfillment of obligations under the present Convention.
Article 19
1. The Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure.
2. The Committee shall elect its officers for a term of
two years.
Article 2O
1. The Committee shall normally meet for a period of not
more than two weeks annually in order to consider the reports submitted
in accordance with article 18 of the present Convention.
2. The meetings of the Committee shall normally be held
at United Nations Headquarters or at any other convenient place
as determined by the Committee.
Article 2l
1. The Committee shall, through the Economic and Social
Council, report annually to the General Assembly of the United Nations
on its activities and may make suggestions and general recommendations
based on the examination of reports and information received from
the States Parties. Such suggestions and general recommendations
shall be included in the report of the Committee together with comments,
if any, from States Parties.
2. The Secretary-General shall transmit the reports of
the Committee to the Commission on the Status of Women for its information.
Article 22
The specialized agencies shall be entitled to be represented at
the consideration of the implementation of such provisions of the
present Convention as fall within the scope of their activities.
The Committee may invite the specialized agencies to submit reports
on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within
the scope of their activities.
PART VI
Article 23
Nothing in this Convention shall affect any provisions that are
more conducive to the achievement of equality between men and women
which may be contained:
(a) In the legislation of a State Party; or
(b) In any other international convention, treaty or agreement
in force for that State.
Article 24
States Parties undertake to adopt all necessary measures at the
national level aimed at achieving the full realization of the rights
recognized in the present Convention.
Article 25
1. The present Convention shall be open for signature by
all States.
2. The Secretary-General of the United Notions-is designated
as the depositary of the present Convention.
3. The present Convention is subject to ratification. Instruments
of ratification shall be deposited with the Secretary-General of
the United Nations.
4. The present Convention shall be open to accession by
all States. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument
of accession with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 26
1. A request for the revision of the present Convention
may be made at any time by any State Party by means of a notification
in writing addressed to the Secretary General of the United Nations.
2. The General Assembly of the United Nations shall decide
upon the steps, if any, to be taken in respect of such a request.
Article 27
1. The present Convention shall enter into force on the
thirtieth day after the date of deposit with the Secretary-General
of the United Nations of the twentieth instrument of ratification
or accession.
2. For each State ratifying the present Convention or acceding
to it after the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification
or accession, the Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth
day after the date of the deposit of its own instrument of ratification
or accession.
Article 28
1. The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive
and circulate to all States the text of reservations made by States
at the time of ratification or accession.
2. A reservation incompatible with the object and purpose
of the present Convention shall not be permitted.
3. Reservations may be withdrawn at any time by notification
to this effect addressed to the Secretary-General of the United
Nations, who shall then inform all States thereof. Such notification
shall take effect on the date on which it is received.
Article 29
1. Any dispute between two or more States Parties concerning
the interpretation or application of the present Convention which
is not settled by negotiation shall, at the request of one of them,
be submitted to arbitration. If within six months from the date
of the request for arbitration the parties are unable to agree on
the organization of the arbitration, any one of those parties may
refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice by request
in conformity with the Statute of the Court.
2. Each State Party may at the time of signature or ratification
of this Convention or accession thereto declare that it does not
consider itself bound by paragraph 1 of this article. The other
States Parties shall not be bound by that paragraph with respect
to any State Party which has made such a reservation.
3. Any State Party which has made a reservation in accordance
with paragraph 2 of this article may at any time withdraw that reservation
by notification to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
Article 30
The present Convention, the Arabic, Chinese, English, French,
Russian and Spanish texts of which are equally authentic, shall
be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
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