The Formulation of General Recommendations

Another role women's groups can play in the CEDAW process is contributing to the formulation of General Recommendations by the CEDAW Committee. This way, women can infuse their perspectives into the development of jurisprudence on the human rights of women within the international human rights system.

Once the CEDAW Committee decides the subject matter of the General Recommendation, they invite written inputs from the NGO community. These can be sent to the Division for the Advancement of Women. During the CEDAW sessions, the Committee will sometimes hold a dialogue with NGOs eliciting ideas for the General Recommendation.

The Committee decides well in advance the subject matter of the General Recommendation and it takes at least two to three years to finalise it. So it must be noted that suggestions for the drafting of a General Recommendation may not be taken up immediately.

The Committee is currently drafting a General Recommendation on State Obligation, Article 2 of the CEDAW Convention. Previously, the Committee had also expressed interest in elaborating on the intersectionality of rights, as well as the right of older women to non-discrimination.

This page was last updated on August 30, 2004

“IWRAW Asia Pacific is an independent, non-profit, NGO in Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.”
©IWRAW Asia Pacific
Contact Us | Site Map