This article challenges criticisms of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW),
specifically that CEDAW is
assimilationist, homogeneous, and
essentialist. The author argues that CEDAW
in fact provides a basis for
transformative equality, and indeed
mandates it. The author assesses the gap
between the policy provisions established
in CEDAW and social practices. The author
also discusses the challenges of
translating these policy provisions into
practical solutions that allow women to
behave as equal actors in the public