Attachments: CEDAW Optional Protocol-UN.pdf
WUNRN
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WEDO - Women's Environmnet & Development
Organization
CEDAW: The Optional Protocol and Women in
Decision-Making
"Women cannot afford to remain n the margins
of political decision-making, which has such a major impact on other areas of
women's lives. Along with the recognition of women's participation as a human
right, there has also been a growing acknowledgment that a country's political,
social, and economic development leaps forward when the percentage of women in
politics who support a women's agenda reaches critical mass. In many instances,
gender-responsive policies have helped transform the lives of poor
women.
But the question remains: How do we
speed the pace of change?
CEDAW is part of the answer. As the principle
legally binding international instrument addressing women's rights and equality,
it has the potential to be a powerful instrument for accelerating gender equity
in political life. Articles four and seven call for the implementation of
affirmative measures to achieve women's equal participation in political
decision-making bodies. Ratifying states undergo a reporting process designed to
strengthen accountability and document actions taken to achieve gender
parity.
CEDAW offers not only words, but also an
enforcement mechanism - the Option Protocol. In countries where the government
refuses to adopt or implement laws that would foster equality in politics, and
where women's groups have already exhausted all national mechanisms, the
protocol can be an important tool for women to hold their governments to their
commitments..........."
Manual may be Downloaded from website
Link.
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