The CEDAW articles can be pretty large and confusing. To make things easier for you, we've summarized all the important details for you. Enjoy!

CEDAW Article Summaries

Article 1- Defines Discrimination
Defines discrimination against women as any "distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of marital status, on the basis of equality between men and women, of human rights or fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil, or any other field."

Article 2- Describes States duties to uphold the convention
Condemns discrimination in all its forms and to ensure a legal framework including all laws, policies and practices that provides protection against discrimination and embodies the principle of equality.

Article 3- Generalized promise of equality
Take action in all fields-civil, political, economic, social, and cultural-to guarantee women's human rights.

Article 4- Immediate steps to ensure equality
Take "temporary special measures" to accelerate equality.

Article 5- Appropriate measures that need to be taken by the State
Take appropriate measures to modify cultural patterns of conduct, as well as the need for family education to recognize the social function of motherhood and the common responsibility for raising children.

Article 6- Suppress Trafficking of women
Take measures to suppress the trafficking of women and the exploitation of prostitution of women.

Article 7- Political and public life
End discrimination against women in political and public life and ensure women's equal rights to vote, be eligible for election, participate in the formulation of policy, hold office, and participate in associations and non-governmental organizations.

Article 8- Governmental representation
Allowing women to represent their governments internationally on an equal basis with men.

Article 9- Nationality
Women have equal rights with men to acquire, change, or retain their nationality and that of their children.

Article 10- Education
End discrimination in education, including in professional and vocational training, access to curricula and other means of receiving an equal education as well as to eliminate stereotyped concepts of the roles of men and women.

Article 11- Employment
End of discrimination in the field of employment, including the right to work, employment opportunities, equal remuneration, free choice of profession and employment, social security, and protection of health, including maternal health, and also in regard to discrimination on the grounds of marriage or maternity.

Article 12- Healthcare
Eliminate discrimination in health care, including access to services such as family planning.

Article 13- Economic and social life
Women are ensured the same rights as men in all areas of social and economic life, such as family benefits, mortgages, bank loans, and participation in recreational activities and sports.

Article 14- Rural women
Focuses on the particular problems faced by rural women, including the areas of women's participation in development planning, access to adequate health care, credit, education, and adequate living conditions.

Article 15- equality before the law
Take steps to ensure equality before the law and the same legal capacity to act in such areas as contracts, administration of property, and choice of residence.

Article 16- marriage and family relations
Ensure equality in marriage and family relations, including equal rights with men to freely choose marriage, equal rights and responsibilities toward children, including the right to freely determine the number and spacing of children and the means to do so, and the same rights to property.

Click here [0] to download a copy the article summaries.