The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between
women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and
equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including
the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education,
health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate
measures, including legislation and temporary special measures,
so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental
freedoms.
The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms
the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition
as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations.
It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their
nationality and the nationality of their children. States parties
also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of
traffic in women and exploitation of women.
Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are
legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are
also committed to submit national reports, at least every four
years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty
obligations. The following is a tentative list of country reports
from States Parties that will be examined during this session:
Samoa, Lao PDR, Algeria,
Croatia, Gabon, Italy,
Paraguay, and Turkey.
For more information on the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, or to check the status
of your country, visit http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/.
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