The Role of CEDAW in South Africa
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women, also known as CEDAW, in 1979. It was designed to be an international bill of rights for women and girls, and has been ratified by 184 countries (including South Africa). Each country that has ratified CEDAW agreed to implement the provisions outlined in it over time, which includes the passage of national legislation to support its goals and objectives.
Does South Africa have to implement CEDAW?
South Africa has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and is thus obligated to implement it. This international human rights treaty obligates states to put policies and laws in place that guarantee women’s equality. The goal is to ensure that women, regardless of where they live, are guaranteed the same rights as men.
What has been done so far?
Since the passage of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, under section 8(2) all persons are equal before the law and have the right to equality before courts and tribunals. The Equality Act, 2000 (Act No. 473) provides that Every person has a right to equality which encompasses both formal and substantive discrimination.
