The CEDAW is described as an international bill of rights for women. Defining what discrimination against women is and a plan to help stop it. The purpose of the convention is to identify the areas in which woman are being discriminated against such as legal, family, economical, educational, or health and create standard rights that allow woman to be treated equally. Countries that accept this agreement are expected to uphold these values and submit reports showing proof that they are in compliance. Overall the convention has made a very large impact on the women’s lives by allowing woman to vote in countries they were previously not allowed to do so, allowing girls the same access as boys to education, and the improvement of working conditions for women. Although some countries have adopted these new principles others have failed to do so, and women’s lives around the world have yet to improve in the same way others have. And even in countries where improvements have been made, there is still a long way to go until a women’s treatment is considered completely equal to a man’s.
A woman’s culture has the largest affect on defining their roles, and often times may lead to discrimination and unfair treatment. In the article, “Patriarchy and Domination,” by Gerda Lerner,
Bibliography: "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women." Welcome to the United Nations: It 's Your World. Web. 20 Oct. 2010. .