viated as “CEDAW Committee”, is the United Nations (UN) treaty body that oversees
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW). The formation of this committee was outlined in Article 17 of the CEDAW,[23]
which also established the rules, purpose, and operating procedures of the
committee.[24] Throughout its years of operation the committee has held multiple
sessions to ensure the rules outlined in the CEDAW are being followed. Over time the
practices of the committee have evolved due to an increased focus on women’s rights
issues.
History of the committee
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women was formed on 3
September 1981 after the CEDAW received the 20 ratifications required for it to enter
into force. Article 17 of the CEDAW established the committee in order to ensure that
the provisions of the CEDAW were followed by the countries that had signed and
agreed to be bound by it.[24] The first regular session of the committee was held from
18 to 22 October 1982. In this session the first officers of the committee were elected by
simple majority, with Ms. L. Ider of Mongolia becoming chairperson.[25] Other officers
elected were three vice-chairpersons: M. Caron of Canada, Z. Ilic of Yugoslavia and L.
Mukayiranga of Rwanda. The final officer elected was D. P. Bernard of Guyana as
rapporteur of the committee. During this session, the committee also unanimously
approved to adopt its rules of procedure.[25]
Sessions
Palais des Nations
The rules regarding where and when the committee can hold sessions are laid out in
their rules of procedure.[26]The committee is allowed to hold as many meetings as are required to perform their
duties effectively, with the states party to the CEDAW and the Secretary-General of the
United Nations authorizing the number of regular sessions held.[26] In addition, special
sessions can be held at the request of either a state party to the convention or the
majority of the members serving on the committee.[26] Seventy-two sessions have
been held to date, with the most recent taking place from 18 February to 9 March
2019.[27] The first thirty-nine sessions were held at the United Nations headquarters
building in New York City, with the fortieth and subsequent sessions held at the Palais
des Nations in Geneva.[27] At its regular sessions, the Committee hears reports from
states party to the CEDAW on their progress in adhering to CEDAW and implementing
its ideas in their countries.[28] The committee also holds pre-sessional work groups to
discuss the issues and questions that the committee should deal with during the
following session.
Reports
UN Headquarters
Under article 18 of the CEDAW states must report to the committee on the progress
they have made in implementing the CEDAW within their state.[26] As most of the
information the committee works with comes from these reports, guidelines have been
developed to help states prepare accurate and useful reports.[29] Initial reports
discussing the current picture of discrimination against women in the reporting states
are required to specifically deal with each article of the CEDAW, and consist of no more
than one-hundred pages.[26] States are required to prepare and present these initial
reports within one year of ratifying the CEDAW.[24] Periodic reports detailing the state’s
progress in adhering to the articles of the CEDAW should be no more than seventy-five
pages in length and should focus on the specific period of time since the state’s last
report.[26] States party to the CEDAW are typically required to provide periodic reports
every four years, but if the committee is concerned about the situation in that state they
can request a report at any time.[24]
The committee chooses which reports addressing by considering factors such as the
amount of time the report has been pending, whether the report is initial or periodic (with
more priority given to initial reports), and from which region the report originates.[26]Eight states are invited to give their reports during each session and it is required a
representative from the state is in attendance when the report is presented.[26] The
committee focuses on constructive dialogue when a report is presented and appreciates
careful time management on the part of the state presenting its report.[26] Due to the
high backlog of overdue reports the committee has encouraged states to combine all of
their outstanding reports into one document and sends reminders to states who have
reports that are five years overdue.[26] The CEDAW also requires that the committee
provide an annual report that includes its activities, comments relating to the reports
provided by states, information relating to the Optional Protocol of the CEDAW, and any
other general suggestions or recommendations the committee has made.[26] This
report is given to the United Nations General Assembly through the Economic and
Social Council.[26] All report
s, agendas and other official documents pertaining to the committee, including the
reports provided by the states, are provided to the public unless otherwise decided by
the committee.[26]