Status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

This report by the Secretary General sets out the current status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (Women's Convention) and the status of the Optional Protocol. As of August 31, 2002, 170 states had ratified the Women's Convention and 43 states had ratified the Optional Protocol. The report also discusses the work of the CEDAW Committee; efforts to encourage universal ratification of the Convention, its Optional Protocol and acceptance of the amendment to article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention; technical assistance provided to States parties; and, dissemination of the Convention, its Optional Protocol and information on the work of the Committee.