The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly.

[2] Australia's declaration noted the limitations on central government power resulting from its federal constitutional system.

[5] Article 3 requires states parties to guarantee basic human rights and fundamental freedoms to women "on a basis of equality with men" through the "political, social, economic, and cultural fields.

"[5] Article 4 notes that "[a]doption...of special measures aimed at accelerating de facto equality between men and women shall not be considered discrimination."

[5] Article 5 requires states parties to take measures to seek to eliminate prejudices and customs based on the idea of the inferiority or the superiority of one sex or on stereotyped role for men and women.

[5] It also mandates the states parties "[t]o ensure...the recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development of their children.

It also provides equal access to athletics, scholarships and grants as well as requires "reduction in female students' drop out rates.

[5] Article 12 creates the obligation of states parties to "take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of healthcare in order to ensure...access to health care services, including those related to family planning.

"[5] Article 14 provides protections for rural women and their special problems, ensuring the right of women to participate in development programs, "to have access to adequate health care facilities," "to participate in all community activities," "to have access to agricultural credit" and "to enjoy adequate living conditions.

It also accords "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.

Women are still underrepresented, if not totally absent, in most official peace negotiations and sexual violence in peacetime and in conflict continue to increase.

It requires the UN Member States that have ratified it (185 to date) to set in place mechanisms to fully realize women's rights.

It also demands a comprehensive report from the UN Secretary-General on implementation and strategies for improving information flow to the Security Council; and the adoption of concrete protection and prevention measures to end sexual violence.

[24] Throughout its years of operation the committee has held multiple sessions to ensure the rules outlined in the CEDAW are being followed.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women was formed on 3 September 1981 after the CEDAW received the 20 ratifications required for it to enter into force.

[26] The committee is allowed to hold as many meetings as are required to perform their duties effectively, with the states party to the CEDAW and the Secretary-General of the United Nations authorizing the number of regular sessions held.

[26] In addition, special sessions can be held at the request of either a state party to the convention or the majority of the members serving on the committee.

[29] To date, the committee has issued thirty-two general recommendations, the latest dealing with the gender related dimensions of refugee status, asylum, nationality and statelessness of women.

[30] The recommendations issued by the committee in its first decade were short and dealt mainly with the content of states' reports and reservations to the convention.

[29] Currently the committee is working on the General Recommendation Trafficking in women and girls in the context of global migration.

[41] Due to the emergence of the Global Campaign for Women's Human Rights in 1991 more attention was given to the CEDAW, reviving the committee.

[24] One of the committee's main goals moving forward is expanding its information base, allowing it to more effectively deal with issues that arise concerning the CEDAW.

[24] Another method for gathering information is requesting reports from non-governmental organizations dealing with discrimination against women that are operating in the country under discussion.

[24] Another recommendation for improvement involves interpreting and clarifying the language used in the CEDAW in order to make the document as useful as it can be.

[26] The members come from a wide range of occupations including doctors, lawyers, diplomats and educators, providing various viewpoints to the committee due to their diversity.

[56][57][58] In 2024, Reem Alsalem, was asked to provide input to a legal case in the form of a position paper to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

[59] The outcome of the case is viewed as one of great significance to advocates of female-only services and spaces in Australia, and for all countries around the world where CEDAW has been ratified.

Although the authority of the emperor as the highest priest of Shinto was revoked by the United Nations (the Allied Powers) following Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945, this new recommendation was perceived by the Japanese public as further infringement on religious dogma and interference in domestic affairs by the UN, causing widespread shock.

Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly lodged a strong protest with the committee, demanding the UN recommendation be retracted.

[63] The recommendation was prompted by reports to the UN from groups such as the Japan Federation of Bar Associations,[64] known for its leftist and anti-imperial stances.