Women’s Rights – Why CEDAW is So Important
When women have access to their rights – from equal pay and land ownership rights to freedom from violence, maternal health rights, education, and political participation – the world will be transformed. But only when these rights are systematically defended and advanced will true equality come about. That is why the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is so important: It requires states to implement laws and policies that guarantee women’s rights.
The latest CEDAW report shows that many economies have made progress in advancing women’s rights, but that there is still much work to be done. Overall, women worldwide have only three quarters of the legal rights that men enjoy. The most significant improvements were in Sub-Saharan Africa, where five countries implemented reforms that improved their scores on the women’s rights index. Gabon reformed the civil code, allowing women to inherit property and own businesses; Egypt reformed laws that prohibit domestic violence; and Pakistan lifted restrictions on women’s ability to work at night.
These reforms are not just the result of economic development, but they have also been driven by pressure from women’s groups and activists. A global movement for women’s rights has gained momentum over the past decade, fueled by popular uprisings and the rise of social media platforms. Activists are mobilizing against violence against women, advocating for gender-responsive development policies, and calling for an end to harmful traditional practices such as early marriage and FGM.
A large majority of Americans – across demographic and partisan lines – agree that securing women’s rights is very important. Eight-in-ten Democrats and those who lean Democratic believe that women’s suffrage is one of the most important milestones in their country’s history, and nearly seven-in-ten Democrats with at least a bachelor’s degree think that our country has not yet gone far enough in promoting women’s rights.
Among Republicans and those who lean Republican, only about half say that securing women’s rights is important. Many people who say that women’s rights are very important also believe that it is possible to achieve them. For example, 75% of Americans who say that gender equality is very important say it is either somewhat or very likely that the United States will eventually have equal rights for women and men.
When we ask people what a society with full equality might look like, they often mention things such as reducing discrimination against women and girls, and making sure that all children have access to quality education and care. But the most common response is that a society with equality would be more fair. And, as we have seen in the United States and around the world, the key to a more equitable society is to ensure that all citizens have a voice at all levels of government. This includes the ability to elect leaders who are committed to the advancement of women’s rights. That is why we need to continue to support the women’s rights movement and to build a strong coalition of advocates.