Bringing Equality Home: Implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

Author/Editor(s): Llana Landsberg-Lewis (ed)

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is an internationally established framework for the implementation of gender equality throughout the world. The publication "Bringing Equality Home" documents global efforts to embrace the tenets of CEDAW. It has been repeatedly used to define norms for constitutional guarantees of women's human rights, to interpret laws, to mandate proactive, pro-women policies, and to dismantle discrimination. This 45 page booklet is an inspirational resource for womens human rights advocates, government representatives, policy makers and all persons interested in gender equality as an integral part of human rights.

Case studies from countries such as Colombia, Uganda, Brazil and South Africa are explored as they have used the principles of CEDAW to make constitutional changes ensuring equality for women. Similarly, courts in India, Botswana, Tanzania and Nepal have dealt with landmark cases concerning citizenship rights, land ownership and freedom from sexual harassment. National laws have been passed in Hong Kong, Costa Rica, Japan and China. Alternatively, some states have ratified CEDAW with reservations, due to potential conflicts with customary or religious law.

"Bringing Equality Home" tells of the success stories, as well as the exceptions, to provide encouragement and insight of how CEDAW has influenced these processes, what gains have been achieved and what needs to continue to build on these advancements.