To jumpstart the media campaign on popularizing CEDAW, it's best to start with a primer of sorts.

Philippines: CEDAW 101
A treaty looking after women's human rights
by Claire Villacorta (Women's Feature Service)

At first glance, it may seem like we've come this far rocking the status quo. But if it means we've finally achieved a certain degree of equality with men, are we necessarily reaping the benefits? In some cases, yes. Others, well, most likely not. That's because a society where women are free from discrimination doesn't really exist, no matter how much actual progress there has been in most countries to put a stop to it.

As you read this, women all over the world are constantly battling various forms of discrimination. For instance:

a. Women account for two thirds of the world's illiterate adults.

b. There are more boys getting an education than girls.

c. Not only are women earning three fourths of what men earn, but they are also doing twice the amount of unpaid work that men do.

d. The health concerns of women are more often than not overlooked or ignored.

e. When it comes to positions of power, women are vastly under-represented.

f. Globally, violence against women has reached epidemic heights.

Luckily, we've had the UN on our side from the start. They've been around to promote equality between the sexes. And as far as women's rights go, they've kept their radar on to advance the cause throughout the years. But somewhere along the way, something essential has come along to complement it, taking on the form of an international bill of rights for women. It's a well-kept secret that everyone should be in on.

Enter CEDAW. It's an acronym for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. If that's a mouthful, you can always refer to it as "The Women's Convention" or, more loosely, "The Convention". It is also known as the United Nations Treaty for the Rights of Women.

Being the first and only international treaty of its kind, CEDAW addresses women's rights in a comprehensive manner. It taps all areas - civil, political, economic, social, cultural and family life. Of course, you may ask - what makes this so much more special if there's already a UN Declaration in place? Well, CEDAW pretty much seals the deal by setting binding legal standards for achieving this equality, and at the same time, protecting our human rights in the process. Our laws and policies are given the CEDAW spin before they are implemented.

Our right to choose is not only limited to laws - it applies to cultural practices as well. CEDAW happens to be the only human rights treaty that supports our reproductive rights. It's also the only treaty that places the spotlight on culture and tradition as par for the course when it comes to shaping our gender roles and how we relate to our families.

Here's a bit of herstory. December 18, 1979 was an important day for CEDAW because it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. It also happened to be during the UN Decade for Women. The Philippines came on board on July 15, 1980 and ratified CEDAW a year later on August 5, 1981. CEDAW itself came into force on September 3, 1981. And this makes us one of 182 governments or State Parties out of 191 signatories as of March 2006. And as a State Party, our government is "bound to Respect, Protect and Fulfill women's rights" by recognizing the need for state action all because of problems that go back to discrimination and inequality against women.

It's been 25 years now for CEDAW, and for the first time, a Filipina chairperson is head of the Committee: Ambassador Rosario G. Manalo. As chairperson, her task at hand is to make sure that all 182 State Parties comply with the provisions of CEDAW. This makes for a special anniversary, and all the more reason to celebrate.

Ambassador Manalo believes it's high time for Filipinas to claim their rights. "Women are often unaware of the rights they have under the law, and they may not be empowered to claim them effectively."


Learn more about CEDAW:
UN website on the CEDAW Convention

Office of the High Commission on Human Rights Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Peace Women: Women's International League for Peace and Freedom

Office of the High Commission on Human Rights

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Social and Human Sciences

International Labour Office

The People's Movement for Human Rights Education

Eldis: The Gateway for Development Information

Amnesty International

Human Rights Watch

Asian Women's Resource Exchange

Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Toolkit for Women

The United States Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women

Stop Violence Against Women

International Women's Rights Action Watch (IWRAW)

IWRAW-Asia Pacific

CEDAW Watch Philippines

Tags: CEDAW, women's rights

Labels: governance, politics