South Asia Indicators on the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

All SAARC countries have ratified the UN Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the key international human rights instrument on women's status. The Convention (CEDAW) recognises women's right to equal opportunities and life chances in the family, the community and within all countries that belong to the international community. When SAARC countries ratified the Convention they accepted binding obligations in international law to implement this Convention nationally. Though a particular government holding office at a particular time ratified the Convention, the Convention is an international treaty that binds the State and all successive governments.

CEDAW has to be implemented through laws, policies...