This author reasons that the Optional Protocol (OP) to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) has significantly increased the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women's powers of monitoring and enforcing state obligations under CEDAW. This article summarizes the first actions taken by the Committee under the OP: two individual communications in 2004-2005 (B.J. v. Germany and A.T. v. Hungary) and one inquiry in 2004 (Report on Mexico).